frantically

[ fran-tik-lee ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of frantically¹

frantic ( def ) + -ally ( def )

Example Sentences

Lu apologized and frantically tried to scoop them off camera.

From Los Angeles Times

In this year's John Lewis advert, the heroine, Sally, is seen frantically doing last-minute shopping for her sister.

From BBC

Thousands of security and emergency services are frantically clearing debris and mud in the search for the dead, taken by what the Spanish government call the second deadliest flood in Europe.

From BBC

Back at her surveillance point, Sharon carried on frantically communicating with soldiers on the ground.

From BBC

The husband, who was seated directly behind her, "frantically pushed" the back of her seat, the woman said.

From BBC

Related Words

• desperately
• excitedly
• madly
• uncontrollably
• wildly