frantically
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of frantically
Explanation
When people act frantically or in an uncontrolled manner, it's best to give them their space. If there's a fire in a building, everyone will be stampeding frantically to the nearest exit. Just try not to get trampled. The word frantically comes from the Middle English frentik meaning "insane, violently mad," which is just what someone behaving frantically acts like. This word can be used to describe any number of actions. Your mother might be frantically pacing the room if you come home well after your curfew, or you might be frantically running to a class if you're late.
Vocabulary lists containing frantically
"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs
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The Crossover
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By the next morning, on June 4, his family and colleagues were frantically hunting for any information.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
To help motivate him through the challenge, one of the videos he received , externalwas of his dog Barney frantically barking at foxes in their garden.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Videos of villagers knee-deep in floodwater frantically trying to catch snakes swimming in a flooded Guangxi town went viral on social media, with a related hashtag racking up over 180 million views.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
She frantically phoned hospitals and the police, thinking he was dead.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
“Tell me who he is,” I said frantically.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
