panic attack
noun
plural panic attacks
: a sudden feeling or episode of panic
specifically
: a brief episode of intense fear or dread that is of sudden onset and typically subsides within 30 minutes, usually occurs for no apparent reason but may sometimes be associated with an identifiable triggering stimulus (such as an existing phobia), and is accompanied by a sense of unreality and impending loss of control and by various debilitating physical symptoms (such as increased heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath)
Those undergoing a panic attack often believe they are suffering a heart attack or some other illness. —
Lillian Lee Kim
Lillian Lee Kim Agoraphobia is a fear only of fear itself, that is, of any situation where help would be unavailable and escape difficult in case of a panic attack. —The Harvard Mental Health Letter
compare anxiety attack
The Harvard Mental Health Letter Examples of panic attack in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The book explodes the central dilemma of the panic attack—what is real?
—Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Another reported chronic pain and panic attacks after being hit by a car while crossing the street.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
In April of 2025, Amanda Caswell found herself on the edge of a panic attack one midnight.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In 1964, Brian Wilson decided to stop touring with the Beach Boys after experiencing a panic attack due to the band’s heavy schedule.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for panic attack
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Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Another reported chronic pain and panic attacks after being hit by a car while crossing the street.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
In April of 2025, Amanda Caswell found herself on the edge of a panic attack one midnight.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In 1964, Brian Wilson decided to stop touring with the Beach Boys after experiencing a panic attack due to the band’s heavy schedule.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for panic attack
Cite this Entry
“Panic attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20attack. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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