2 syllables: fren, zied. Stress on fren.
FREN-zeed
/ˈfɹɛnzid/
frenzied is pronounced FREN-zeed (/ˈfɹɛnzid/). It has two syllables (fren-zied), with the stress on "fren". Frenzied describes something characterized by wild, uncontrolled excitement or activity. It implies rapid, frenzied behavior, often chaotic or frantic in nature. The word carries a strong connotation of intensity and disorder, suggesting a moment of extreme emotional or physical agitation.
Frenzied describes something characterized by wild, uncontrolled excitement or activity. It implies rapid, frenzied behavior, often chaotic or frantic in nature. The word carries a strong connotation of intensity and disorder, suggesting a moment of extreme emotional or physical agitation.
"The crowd surged forward in a frenzied rush to catch a glimpse of the celebrity."
"During the blackout, shoppers moved with frenzied haste, grabbing items and shouting over the noise."
"The team's frenzied pace on the field left their opponents scrambling to keep up."
pronounced as /ˈfrɛn.zɪd/ in US and UK IPA. Primary stress on the first syllable FREN. The second syllable uses a schwa-like vowel in many rapid pronunciations, giving /ˈfrɛn.zɪd/; in careful speech you might hear a clearer 'i' as in 'kid' for the final -ed, producing /ˈfrɛn.zɪd/. Mouth: start with a short e as in red, then a crisp n, then z, followed by a laxed d. Audio examples can be found on Forvo and YouGlish for precise pronunciation in context.
Two common errors are misplacing the stress (saying /ˈfrən.zid/ with weak first syllable) and mispronouncing the second syllable as /ziz/ or /zɪd/ rather than /zɪd/. To correct: keep primary stress on FRɛn- and end with a crisp /zɪd/. Practice by saying FRɛn-zid slowly, then faster, ensuring the vowel in the first syllable stays as /ɛ/ and the second as /ɪ/ before /d/.
In US and UK, the first syllable has /ɛ/ as in 'bed', with a clear /r/ in rhotic environments for US. UK non-rhotic speakers may produce a less pronounced /r/; the second syllable uses a reduced vowel /ɪ/ in rapid speech. Australian speakers often reduce the final -ed to /d/ with a softer /ɪ/ or even a clipped /ɪ/; overall rhythm remains trochaic. IPA guides: US /ˈfrɛn.zɪd/, UK /ˈfren.zɪd/, AU /ˈfren.zɪd/ with subtle vowel narrowing.
The challenge lies in maintaining crisp /z/ before /ɪ/ and /d/, avoiding a voiceless or devoiced /z/ and preventing the /ɪ/ from becoming a lax schwa in fast speech. The cluster /frenz/ requires a sharp /n/ followed by /z/—mouth must produce a rapid, smooth transition from nasal to fricative. Accurate articulation of the final /d/ after a high-front vowel /ɪ/ is essential to avoid an unintended /t/ or /z/ sound. IPA cues help keep you precise.
This word uniquely combines a stressed first syllable with a voiceless-alveolar fricative /z/ in the second syllable, followed by a voiced alveolar stop /d/. The vowel in the first syllable is a front open /ɛ/ that sits near /e/ in 'bed', which can be tricky when the word is said quickly. The overall rhythm is brisk trochaic, and careful speakers should maintain a clear separation between /z/ and /d/ even in fast narration.
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Frenzied originates from the noun frenzy, which stems from the Middle English frenzie or frensy, borrowed from the Old French frenesi and the Latin furor, all denoting “madness” or “fury.” The root furor conveys intense passion or rage, often with chaotic undertones. In English, frenzy has long carried association with religious or tribal rites—where frenzied dances signified ecstatic energy—before broadening to general excitement or aggression. The suffix -ed turns the adjective form frenzied into a description of a state or condition. First attested in the 15th century, frenzied appeared in literary contexts to describe scenes of chaotic activity, later aligning with modern usage to depict rapid, disordered action or emotion in everyday speech and writing.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "frenzied" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "frenzied" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "frenzied"
-hed sounds
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