as in frightened
too overcome with panic to think or act normally
The panic-stricken horses crashed through the door of the burning barn.
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Recent Examples of panic-stricken
For the first time in his life, the great shark couldn’t swim freely and, panic-stricken, bolted clear of his world and there was only emptiness, and his tail and pectoral fins were helpless in the void.
—
Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
That afternoon, another detainee called her with a message that left her panic-stricken: Her son, 25-year-old Yoiker David Sequera, had been taken away to a notorious offshore prison.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
These are not the first crew members to be panic-stricken by a stray rat today.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 May 2023
Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
That afternoon, another detainee called her with a message that left her panic-stricken: Her son, 25-year-old Yoiker David Sequera, had been taken away to a notorious offshore prison.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
These are not the first crew members to be panic-stricken by a stray rat today.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panic-stricken
Adjective
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Hundreds of frightened residents gathered in a grassy field near the fire station and refused to return home hours after the quake struck Bogo in Cebu province.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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So stay calm, control your breathing, don’t be frightened.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In one, the sausages spoofed Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls, chasing panicked employees through a narrow office corridor.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Chiefs brought linebacker Nick Bolton up the middle frequently, right in Jackson’s face, prompting some panicked decisions.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Kim Kardashian was left terrified after learning someone put out a hit on her life.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Alolkoy, said despite the bear's small size and obviously scared state, the store quickly erupted in a chaotic scene.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Are players scared to talk about it publicly?—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As top-tier sports continue to flee pay-TV like so many panicky horses hoofing their way out of a burning stable, the WNBA is nosing around for oats among the haybales as the sparks fly skyward.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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After Ava is revealed as the sixth juror, Rachel, Keanu and others give Morgan props for her social game and comp wins, though Ava notes Morgan can be panicky with her decision-making.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Panic-stricken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic-stricken. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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