rabid

adjective

ra·​bid ˈra-bəd How to pronounce rabid (audio)
also
ˈrā- How to pronounce rabid (audio)
Synonyms of rabid
1
a
: extremely violent : furious
b
: going to extreme lengths in expressing or pursuing a feeling, interest, or opinion
rabid editorials
a rabid supporter
2
: affected with rabies
a rabid dog
rabidity
rə-ˈbi-də-tē How to pronounce rabid (audio)
ra-, 
rā-
noun
rabidly
ˈra-bəd-lē How to pronounce rabid (audio)
also ˈrā-
adverb
rabidness noun

Synonyms of rabid

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Examples of rabid in a Sentence

a politician with rabid supporters Her husband is a rabid baseball fan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In any business, the rise of fame and talent comes with rabid fans who may sometimes cross the line. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 The moment Rekha moves to task 9, the tone shifts into rabid competition mode. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026 Oaklyn Parsons, 5, was attacked June 28 by a rabid fox on her front porch. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 More often, the health department is made aware of rabid animals through exposures to pets or bats found in a house that are brought in for testing. — Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rabid

Word History

Etymology

Latin rabidus mad, from rabere

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabid was in 1594

Browse Nearby Words

rabic
rabid
rabies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rabid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabid. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rabid

adjective
ra·​bid ˈrab-əd How to pronounce rabid (audio)
also ˈrā-bəd
1
: extremely violent : furious
2
: going to extreme lengths (as in interest or opinion)
rabid supporters
3
: affected with rabies
a rabid dog
rabidly adverb

Medical Definition

rabid

adjective
ra·​bid
ˈrab-əd also ˈrā-bəd
: affected with rabies
a rabid dog

More from Merriam-Webster on rabid

Nglish: Translation of rabid for Spanish Speakers

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