frantic
Beside oneself emotionally
Frantic describes urgent, desperate activity driven by anxiety or fear.
A frantic search for missing keys suggests panicked haste.
Frantic calls to emergency services convey desperation.
The word implies loss of composure—someone frantic has abandoned calm deliberation for wild, sometimes chaotic action: She was frantic when her child went missing.
Overcome by sudden fear
- frazzledMentally and physically depleted
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- agitatedEmotionally disturbed, restless
- distraughtDeeply agitated by grief
overwrought · hysterical · desperate · wild-eyed · beside oneself · unhinged · manic · crazed
Done with excessive speed
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
- racingSpeed competition sport
- dashingSpiritedly stylish and bold
breathless · last-minute · harried · hectic · mad dash · against the clock · breakneck · whirlwind
Troubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- tenseStrained or nervous
stressed · fearful · jittery · restless · fidgety · distressed · troubled · edgy
State of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- commotionNoisy, confused disturbance
disorder · tumult · havoc · uproar · madhouse · circus · whirlwind · scramble
Requiring immediate attention
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
- immediateHappening without delay
crucial · imperative · SOS · alarm · red alert · code red · all hands on deck · 911
Beyond possibility of success
- direExtremely serious or urgent
- last-ditchFinal desperate attempt
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
- hail maryDesperate long-shot attempt
all-out · fight or flight · survival mode · cornered · trapped · life-or-death · helpless · anguished
panicky
Overcome by sudden fear
- frazzledMentally and physically depleted
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- agitatedEmotionally disturbed, restless
distraught · overwrought · hysterical · desperate · wild-eyed · beside oneself · unhinged · manic · crazed · delirious
rushed
Done with excessive speed
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
- racingSpeed competition sport
dashing · breathless · last-minute · harried · hectic · mad dash · against the clock · breakneck · whirlwind · scurrying
worried
Troubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
tense · stressed · fearful · jittery · restless · fidgety · distressed · troubled · edgy · butterflies
pandemonium
State of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
commotion · disorder · tumult · havoc · uproar · madhouse · circus · whirlwind · scramble · free-for-all
pressing
Requiring immediate attention
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
immediate · crucial · imperative · SOS · alarm · red alert · code red · all hands on deck · 911 · mayday
hopeless
Beyond possibility of success
- direExtremely serious or urgent
- last-ditchFinal desperate attempt
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
hail mary · all-out · fight or flight · survival mode · cornered · trapped · life-or-death · helpless · anguished
- emotionaldramatic, hysterical, weepy, tearful, melodramatic
- time pressurerush, against the clock, rushed, clock is ticking, urgency
- urgencyurgent, urgently, emergency, ASAP, stat
- hyperactivityfidgeting, hyper, restlessness, fidgety, restless
- moodshappy, sad, angry, anxious, excited
- chaosmayhem, chaotic, pandemonium, bedlam, turmoil
franticleisurely
Done without urgency
unhurried · measured · deliberate · methodical · slow