panic 1 of 2

panic

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word panic distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of panic are alarm, dread, fear, fright, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

In what contexts can alarm take the place of panic?

The words alarm and panic can be used in similar contexts, but alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When could dread be used to replace panic?

Although the words dread and panic have much in common, dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When is it sensible to use fear instead of panic?

While the synonyms fear and panic are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When would fright be a good substitute for panic?

The synonyms fright and panic are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When can terror be used instead of panic?

The meanings of terror and panic largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of panic?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of panic
Noun
The work didn’t magically get easier, but the panic dissipated. Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Video of the incident shows students screaming and fleeing, and 911 calls reveal spectators’ panic seeing Kirk be struck by the bullet. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
When this policy was rolled out at the end of March, beneficiaries panicked. Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025 When the planes landed in El Salvador, on March 16th, many of the men didn’t immediately panic. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for panic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panic
Noun
  • Mothers told Fletcher of sending their children to live elsewhere for fear they will be raped in the displacement camps, a constant worry.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The stock is still benefiting from having been dismissed and cheapened by prior fears of its search franchise being disrupted.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Just enough time to snap some selfies and scare your housemates.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Their offense, outside their all-world quarterback, doesn’t scare anybody, not without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (injury), and with Travis Kelce in Year 13.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Add in the possibility of more extensive – and costly – work such as bridges, crowns, extractions or implants, and the anxiety can grow even stronger.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The enthusiasm around personal curriculums and independent learning might reflect modern-day anxieties.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In that episode, the college football fans are terrified to find themselves in Pro Town, a place where people go to yoga on Saturdays.
    Kristi Dosh, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Murillo recalled a Cuban grandmother whose grandchildren were terrified to go to school after their father was detained in front of them at their own home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dixon looks ahead with a mix of optimism and dread.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The assassination of Charlie Kirk has united the parties in a sense of dread that the country has arrived at a dangerous place.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • While some dogs are more confident, others may become easily startled by noises, objects, or movements that appear harmless to humans.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Panic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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