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panic-stricken

adjective

Definition of panic-strickennext
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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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-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
  1. frightened
  2. panicked
  3. terrified
  4. scared
  5. panicky
Adjective
  • Nations are sustained not just by declarations and famous generals, but by less celebrated moments when frightened, exhausted people decide not to give up.
    — Harry Ostrer, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Also at top of mind was the film’s sound design, which is deliberately used as another tool to make the audience feel frightened and uncomfortable.
    — William Earl, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • People are logically panicked about their jobs being replaced by machines, just like the men who destroyed factories and left notes from the fictional Ned Ludd, thereby launching the Luddite movement.
    — Pat Gelsinger, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • In the panicked days after the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, New Yorkers agreed that their city had changed forever.
    — Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of panicked
Adjective
  • That hasn’t changed; people are still terrified of me in one way or another.
    — Tiana DeNicola, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Nora was feeling less terrified of her former partner and increasingly hopeful that his abuse was in the past.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • One dog, Bruce, whose neck was slashed by his owner, spent seven months at the shelter as investigators sought charges, trembling in his kennel and looking scared, according to visitors.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Was that an intentional move to make the Traitors scared to pick her?
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • The hardest part about it might be dealing with panicky Cubs fans in a pennant race.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • As if Wendy’s hands, heart and day planner weren’t full enough, a panicky Jack determines to win her back, much to her torment.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of panicky

Browse Nearby Words

panics
panic-stricken
panjandrum
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Cite this Entry

“Panic-stricken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic-stricken. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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