rabid

[rab-id]

adjective

1. irrationally extreme in opinion or practice.

   a rabid isolationist;

   a rabid baseball fan.

   Synonyms: bigoted, fanatical, ardent, fervent, zealous

2. furious or raging; violently intense.

   a rabid hunger.

3. affected with or pertaining to rabies; mad.

rabid

/ ˈreɪ-, ˈræbɪd, rəˈbɪdɪtɪ /

adjective

1. relating to or having rabies

2. zealous; fanatical; violent; raging

Other Word Forms

• rabidity noun
• rabidness noun
• rabidly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rabid¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin rabidus “raving, furious, mad,” from rab(ere) “to rave, be mad” + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of rabid¹

C17: from Latin rabidus frenzied, mad, from rabere to be mad

Example Sentences

The sooner Republicans wake up and treat him like the rabid, lame duck he is, the better off they — and the country — will be.

Read more on Salon

The nine-episode second season, which premiered this week, is just the latest example of Netflix’s foray into the world of reality competition shows that cater to the rabid fan base of its most popular programs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dozens of rabid bats have been found in Los Angeles County this year, causing county health officials to caution residents in case they come across one.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It comes down to negotiation, trust and compromise, which in Cortez Masto’s view, is still possible — even in these rabidly partisan times.

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An event that started off as a bluff has outgrown its genre roots to become a legitimate destination for rabid film fans, boasting rarities and prestige titles alike.

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Related Words

• crazed 
• delirious 
• enthusiastic 
• fanatical 
• fervent 
• frenzied 
• furious 
• virulent 
• zealous