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frantically

frantically

59 4.4
In a hurried and worried way because of fear
  • adverb
  • /ˈfræntɪkli/
translation icon : desesperadamente
  • Faul stood in the middle of the dark cottage, her eyes frantically searching every dark corner.
  • try frantically
  • search frantically
  • run frantically

And meanwhile, Robert is, you know, frantically trying to sell stuff.

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Examples

  • The father pleaded frantically with the soldiers to stop shooting, to no avail.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A doctor rode up in another boat and worked frantically to save him, but it was too late.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And meanwhile, Robert is, you know, frantically trying to sell stuff.

  • Hi baby, you join me as I frantically try and put some make up on.

  • Frantically, I tried to remember what it was I wanted.

  • And now he's frantically looking for a new one.

  • Officials are frantically searching for any information related to the return of Nemesis.

  • Fear of falling gripped him, and he kicked out frantically in an attempt to find the floor.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Sam sees the mugger exiting the train and frantically rushes after him.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Frantically, the parents searched every room in their house for their missing child.

Synonyms

desperately
vsfrantically
366 3.6

In a very urgent way because you feel a strong need or fear

is more uncontrolled and anxious rather than only urgent need
madly
vsfrantically
61 3.2

In a very wild and uncontrolled way

is caused specifically by anxious fear and desperate hurry
urgently
vsfrantically
51 2.1

In a way that needs attention right away

focuses on anxious uncontrolled hurry rather than necessity
hastily
vsfrantically
49 3.5

In a quick, careless way

is caused by panic or fear, not only careless speed
hurriedly
vsfrantically
23 3.2

Acting quickly with little care

involves anxiety and desperation, not just simple speed
in a panic
vsfrantically
19 4.3

To feel sudden strong fear and act without thinking

is hurried from fear but also includes desperate franticness
in haste
vsfrantically
9 2.8

Quickly and without careful thought

involves uncontrolled fear or desperate urgency rather than mere quickness
frenetically
vsfrantically
1 7.0

Very quickly and in a worried or excited way

is driven by anxiety and desperate loss of control
frenziedly
vsfrantically
7.5

In a wild, panicked way

is more about fear and anxious rush rather than violent agitation
hectically
vsfrantically
5.5

Doing many things quickly because there is little time

is more about panic and loss of control than mere busyness

Antonyms

320 3.7

To do something on purpose and with care

110 1.0

In a calm, steady way without showing anger or nervousness

How Desperate

desperately
366 3.6
frantically
59 4.4
hurriedly
23 3.2
calmly
110 1.0

Surface Forms

frantically positive
franticlier comparative
franticliest superlative

Morphology

frantically = frantic (transparent) = frantic + ally

Standard adverbial formation from 'frantic' with '-ally'; the meaning 'in a frantic manner' is directly inferable from the adjective.

Etymology

Frantically comes from the adjective frantic, a word that originally meant 'wild' or 'mad' and is like the English word frenzy. So to act frantically is to do something in a wild, hurried way because you are scared or desperate.