PANIC-STRICKEN Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

panic-stricken

adjective

Definition of panic-stricken

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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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-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 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

In the second test, 12 dogs were shown happy faces, as well as sad, frightened, and angry ones.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026
Hilton’s sister, Barbara Giarraffa, frightened fans and TikTok moderators were among those who called authorities.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

Expert says Putin ‘panicked’ as Ukraine’s deep strikes push war further into Russia.

— , FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Here, The Athletic analyses three key points and asks whether fans should be patient or panicked after Tottenham’s first game of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of panicked

Adjective

There, a terrified teenage girl would be filmed fleeing before she was consumed by a blinding flash of light and then found dead, bearing unexplained marks on her body.

— Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
During the attack, terrified students huddled together under their desks, sobbing as gunshots rang out nearby, video filmed inside a classroom and verified by CNN showed.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrified

Adjective

Punk exploded in front of a handful of scared-to-death dirtsheet reporters who were out of their league, mimicking a helpless Tony Khan.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
She gets caught up in a custody battle over her son, Albee, who is autistic and obsessed with the ocean but scared of swimming.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of scared

Browse Nearby Words

panics

panic-stricken

panjandrum

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“Panic-stricken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic-stricken. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of panic-stricken

adjective

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