panic button
noun
: something setting off a precipitous emergency response
There was no pushing of panic buttons at the White House, no rushing of troops.—
J. C. Harsch
J. C. HarschExamples of panic button in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The addition of dual-frequency GPS makes its location services more accurate, and emergency satellite calling gives you a panic button in case you get stranded in the wilderness.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
No need to hit the panic button just yet, though.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Despite suffering two gut-wrenching home losses in a row, UCF basketball isn’t quite ready to hit the panic button regarding its NCAA Tournament chances.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
In exchange, the commanding officer, Kevin Taylor, pressured NYPD officials and City Council members to award the contracts to procure goods and services from the company, which sells panic buttons to school systems, according to an indictment.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for panic button
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.
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
No need to hit the panic button just yet, though.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Despite suffering two gut-wrenching home losses in a row, UCF basketball isn’t quite ready to hit the panic button regarding its NCAA Tournament chances.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
In exchange, the commanding officer, Kevin Taylor, pressured NYPD officials and City Council members to award the contracts to procure goods and services from the company, which sells panic buttons to school systems, according to an indictment.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for panic button
Cite this Entry
“Panic button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20button. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
