panicked 1 of 2

panicked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of panic

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 panicked
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 Herlacher braved the falling debris and panicked people running through the streets to help her and was horrified to find the fragment had cut through her back. ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026 Several others were injured during the fray, struck by stray gunfire as the panicked crowd fled the area. Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 That, combined with a nearly immobilizing back injury and a relationship turned toxic, left me feeling panicked. The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026 Yohanna Embu, a resident of Sikka, a regency in East Nusa Tenggara, said a number of buildings were damaged by the strong shaking and panicked people ran to higher ground. Yacob Herin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Videos posted to social media showed buildings collapsing and panicked residents running and screaming, as dust filled the sky. Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Yohanna Embu, a resident of Sikka regency, said a number of buildings were damaged by the strong shaking and panicked people ran to higher ground. ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Like a klutz on an obstacle course, a Tesla Robotaxi with no safety driver seemingly panicked after taking a wrong turn and plowed through a row of bollards, those springy traffic barriers that you are not supposed to run down. Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026 In 2013, pilgrims attending a Hindu festival at a temple in the central state of Madhya Pradesh panicked amid fears that a bridge would collapse. ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 With no agent or manager, the good news panicked Wydra, but thankfully Balfe contacted her team to help her friend. Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026 During the test drive, Lawgalet experienced the deceleration caused from regenerative braking, panicked and decided to return to the dealership after being surprised by the sensation. Charles Singh, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Within two weeks, later symptoms may include anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, being very thirsty but panicked by fluids, having lots of saliva and aggressive behavior like thrashing and biting. Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026 In Orange County, an email landed in attorney Sabrina Rivera’s inbox in April, from a Colorado man panicked about the status of his immigration case. Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 The interviewer visibly panicked, and fans all over social media went bananas — jokes about Lacy’s impending assassination at the hands of Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige abounded. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026 Catherine is panicked about this situation, but like Nora said in the premiere episode, abused girls tragically often return to the men who have hurt them. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panicked
Adjective
  • The first act has a visceral, terrifying sequence with panicky close-ups of extras sprinting pell-mell toward the car.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The vice president was panicky, the authors wrote.
    Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The aggressive approach deeply disrupted and frightened the participants.
    Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If your child is frightened of needles, another option is nasal spray.
    Eva Flowe August 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Middle East has long worried about its dependence on the United States and has thus been diversifying its partnerships since the Arab Spring, in 2011.
    Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This would have been less than a mile from the nesting pine and might have scared the eagles away.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Durkin went 21-for-22 from less than 50 yards out, for those scared by Trey Smack’s 30-yard misses.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Common signs that your dog may be sensitive to something in their food can include frequent scratching, paw licking, gas, loose stools, occasional digestive upset, or changes in coat quality.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The thinking is that orbital data centers can leapfrog past some of the ground-level issues such as where to build them, and upset communities that don’t want to host data centers, despite their municipalities making deals for construction.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Jaylen Edgar, the teenager tried for the 2024 Halloween mass shooting in downtown Orlando that killed two, injured several others and terrified thousands, was found guilty of all charges Monday.
    Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Jurors in 2025 failed to reach verdicts in the case that terrified Davis in late April and early May 2023.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Fleet operators acknowledged that some drivers have been apprehensive to make the leap to zero-emission trucks because the technology is new and charging can be a challenge.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Wayne Davis, a 69, is a year old security officer from Sacramento who remained apprehensive with his eyes peeled in all directions.
    Matthew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of a super restful sleep cycle, whether you are startled by the neighbor’s dog or an unwanted text message.
    Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Panicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panicked. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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