frantically

American  

[fran-tik-lee] / ˈfræn tɪk li /

Rarely franticly

adverb

1. in a desperate, wild, or frenzied way, out of extreme excitement, pain, fear, etc..

   All this time I was searching frantically in the trash can for my missing keys until, just when I thought all was lost, my finger touched something that jingled.

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Etymology

Origin of frantically

frantic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

Saudi Arabia’s oil officials are working frantically to project how high oil prices might go if the Iran war and its disruption of energy supplies doesn’t end soon—and they don’t like what they are seeing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Her apprehensive patient hits a breaking point nevertheless, frantically fleeing the exam room while Dana is procedurally required to remain.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

Guardiola continued to frantically prowl the touchline in the second period but all the drama was taking place away from the Etihad Stadium to secure City's place in the last 16.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

I especially dug the title track, which felt like the soundtrack to a hero strutting into battle before frantically spiraling into a storm of violins.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

Swimming frantically, he forced the boy’s head toward air.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

Related Words

• desperately
• excitedly
• madly
• uncontrollably
• wildly