frantic

adjective fran·tic \ˈfran-tik\

: feeling or showing a lot of fear and worry

: having a lot of wild and hurried activity

Full Definition of FRANTIC

a archaic : mentally deranged

b : emotionally out of control

: marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity

— fran·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— fran·tic·ness \-tik-nəs\ noun

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See frantic defined for kids

Middle English frenetik, frantik — more at frenetic

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonyms: agitated, delirious, distracted, distrait, distraught, frenzied, hysterical (also hysteric), beside oneself

Antonyms: collected, composed, recollected, self-collected, self-composed, self-possessed, unhysterical

FRANTICNESS Defined for Kids

adjective fran·tic \ˈfran-tik\

: feeling or showing fear and worry <a frantic search>

: having wild and hurried activity <They made a frantic attempt to finish.>

— fran·ti·cal·ly \-ti-kə-lē\ adverb

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