as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the sudden sight of a grizzly bear filled the hiker with panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to scare
to strike with fear
for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of panic
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Four juveniles and two 18-year-olds were arrested at a July 4 celebration in Blue Ash after police said hundreds of juveniles set off fireworks in the crowd causing a panic.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Earth may be caught in the middle of a galaxy-encompassing void, but there’s no need to panic.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for panic
Noun
The strong response from community leaders and local officials mirrored nationwide panic that was sparked in January after two Secret Service officers — who were mistaken for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — attempted to enter a school in Back of the Yards on the city’s South Side.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Four juveniles and two 18-year-olds were arrested at a July 4 celebration in Blue Ash after police said hundreds of juveniles set off fireworks in the crowd causing a panic.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Verb
Herles still remembers panicking after her audition back in 1998.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Earth may be caught in the middle of a galaxy-encompassing void, but there’s no need to panic.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for panic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panic
Noun
-
Rather than basing trades on company fundamentals or earnings outlooks, many investors appear to be reacting to market trends and peer activity — a pattern commonly associated with FOMO, or fear of missing out.—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
-
These attempts challenge long-standing norms of academic freedom—that is, the ability of a teacher or researcher in higher education to investigate and discuss subjects without fear of political interference.—
Matt Motta,
Scientific American,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
The combination of a floodlight and a camera is a great way to scare off intruders and get better quality footage at night.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
Simply pull the pin, and the device will emit a blaring siren sound in combination with a strobe light that will draw attention to your situation and scare away would-be threats.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
Noun
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This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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But their return has also angered and frightened livestock farmers and others in rural communities who are having to learn to live alongside these once nearly-extinct creatures.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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But on Friday night, the booms and blasts of celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened them away.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Paired with the gray-ish green color palette, sparse decor, and dark atmospherics in the Institute itself, the bleak vibes may be enough to turn some viewers off for good, especially those horror purists who tune in hoping to be terrified rather than just bummed out.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
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In a city where so many big plans have gone so badly for 30 years, San Diego residents shouldn’t just be wary when another bold proposal comes long — they should be terrified.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
But there is a clinging dread and mystery in these stories that will stay with you.—
Drew Broussard
July 8,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
-
For Lawler, the incident drove home the growing problem of space junk—and left her with a sense of dread that’s never quite gone away.—
Dan Falk,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Your trash schedule might not be top of mind this Independence Day between going to fireworks displays, making a last-minute run to the grocery store or getting startled by loud booms.—
Eleanor Nash
July 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2025
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According to a crash report, a cicada flew into the driver's window, startling the driver.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Panic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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