frenzy

¹fren·zy

noun \ˈfren-zē\

plural frenzies

Definition of FRENZY

1

a : a temporary madness b : a violent mental or emotional agitation

2

: intense usually wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity <a shopping frenzy>

Examples of FRENZY

1. the buying frenzy just before Christmas
2. <in its frenzy to flee the danger, the crowd became uncontrollable, and a number of people were trampled to death>

Origin of FRENZY

Middle English frenesie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin phrenesia, alteration of Latin phrenesis, from phreneticus

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FRENZY

Synonyms: agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, flap, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar

Related Words: chaos, confusion, disorder, havoc, pandemonium, turmoil; bedlam, bother, brouhaha, bustle, clamor, clatter, commotion, disturbance, fuss, hoo-ha (also hoo-hah), hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, tempest, tumult

Near Antonyms: calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, still, stillness, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness

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