frenzy

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A period of intense, uncontrolled excitement or activity, often involving many people.

   Grammar: Usually singular and often used with 'in a' or 'a frenzy of': The crowd was in a frenzy.

   Patterns

   • in a frenzy
   • a frenzy of something
   • a frenzy over something

   The shoppers were in a frenzy as the sale began.

   A frenzy of buying followed the announcement.

   The media went into a frenzy over the scandal.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   A state of wild, uncontrolled emotion or mental agitation in one person.

   Grammar: Can be used with 'a' or without an article: He was in a frenzy. / She was in frenzy.

   Patterns

   • in a frenzy
   • work oneself into a frenzy
   • a frenzy of emotion

   He worked himself into a frenzy of worry.

   She was in a frenzy of grief after the news.

   The thought sent him into a frenzy of panic.

Word forms

Common combinations

media frenzy

The trial caused a media frenzy.

feeding frenzy

The sharks went into a feeding frenzy.

shopping frenzy

The holiday shopping frenzy starts early.

whip into a frenzy

The speaker whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

Synonyms and how they differ

mania

Mania suggests a more prolonged or extreme state, often with a medical or psychological tone.

hysteria

Hysteria emphasizes uncontrollable emotion, especially fear or panic, and is often collective.

craze

A craze is a short-lived enthusiasm for a product or activity, not a state of wild excitement.

Opposites

Word family

frenzied adjective

Wildly excited or uncontrolled.

frenetically adverb

In a fast, energetic, and somewhat chaotic way.

Commonly confused: frenzy or fanatic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “frenzy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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