frenetic

[fruh-net-ik] /frəˈnɛt ɪk/

adjective

frantic; frenzied.

Also, frenetical, phrenetic, phrenetical.

Origin

1350-1400; Middle English; see frantic

Related forms

frenetically, adverb

nonfrenetic, adjective

nonfrenetically, adverb

Can be confused

fanatic, frantic, frenetic (see synonym study at fanatic)

Examples from the web for frenetic

The dynamic was sometimes frenetic, always reactive.
No matter how frenetic and energy-filled the scene is, there still needs to be a moment among the frenzy.
If the big funds in effect own the market in aggregate, then frenetic trading activity is fruitless, even before costs.
The relationships forged during military service foster frenetic networking in civilian life.
And it is matched by an almost equally frenetic pace of change among commercial food companies.
The atmosphere at the station was nervous and frenetic.
And that's when the frenetic yet orderly routine of the emergency room began to break down.
The shoot got under way and had an impulsive, almost frenetic energy.
In its early stages, the painting was a flattened, frenetic composition of little squares.
Far away, in other leagues, the pace can often be too frenetic to be so calculating.

British Dictionary definitions for frenetic

frenetic

/frɪˈnɛtɪk/

adjective

distracted or frantic; frenzied

Derived Forms

frenetically, adverb
freneticness, noun

Word Origin

C14: via Old French frenetique from Latin phrenēticus, from Greek phrenētikos, from phrenitis insanity, from phrēn mind

Word Origin and History for frenetic

adj.

late 14c., from Old French frenetike, from Latin phreneticus "delirious," alteration of Greek phrenitikos, from phrenitis "frenzy," literally "inflammation of the brain," from phren "mind, reason" (from PIE *gwhren- "to think") + -itis. The classical ph- was restored mid-16c. Related: Frenetically.

frenetic in Medicine

frenetic fre·net·ic or phre·net·ic (frə-nět'ĭk)
adj.
Wildly excited or active; frantic; frenzied.