as in frightened
to strike with fear
for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in panicky
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
A couple moving from the United States to Spain with their cat panicked when her favorite blanket was too big for their luggage, but their quick-thinking solution melted people's hearts.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Investors who panicked and sold missed out on one of the fastest market recoveries in history, as the S&P 500 rebounded to new all-time highs within months.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The second came in April 2022, when Wall Street panicked over analysts’ predicting slow subscriber growth as Disney, HBO and NBCUniversal invested heavily in streaming.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Even when things were not going his way, thanks to Burns’ grappling skills, Della Maddalena never panicked.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Alex Wong/Getty Images A few weeks ago, Brooke Kirkpatrick was panicked about being forced to leave her family's apartment in Willoughby, Ohio.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
In February, a warning from a South Texas school district that agents at checkpoints might board school buses carrying schoolchildren to extracurricular activities panicked parents in the region.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025
If Jones signs elsewhere Miami should get panicked.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Is there anyone who flies regularly who hasn’t momentarily panicked over misplacing their ticket or driver’s license?
—Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
A couple moving from the United States to Spain with their cat panicked when her favorite blanket was too big for their luggage, but their quick-thinking solution melted people's hearts.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Investors who panicked and sold missed out on one of the fastest market recoveries in history, as the S&P 500 rebounded to new all-time highs within months.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The second came in April 2022, when Wall Street panicked over analysts’ predicting slow subscriber growth as Disney, HBO and NBCUniversal invested heavily in streaming.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Even when things were not going his way, thanks to Burns’ grappling skills, Della Maddalena never panicked.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Alex Wong/Getty Images A few weeks ago, Brooke Kirkpatrick was panicked about being forced to leave her family's apartment in Willoughby, Ohio.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
In February, a warning from a South Texas school district that agents at checkpoints might board school buses carrying schoolchildren to extracurricular activities panicked parents in the region.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025
If Jones signs elsewhere Miami should get panicked.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panicked
Adjective
-
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, however, didn’t necessarily appear worried when asked what joint practices taught him about his cornerbacks.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Many were worried about stripping precipitation out of a cloud and robbing people downstream of rain.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
-
My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Umpires must already see pitches accurately, move well and handle upset managers and players.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
-
All three have gone after one another while 71-year-old conservative activist and talk show host Curtis Sliwa aims for a major upset for Republicans.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But Wall Street doesn't seem as frightened of tariffs anymore.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
29 July 2025
-
As of Monday afternoon, Dickson still wasn’t sure whether someone punched through the window, or if her frightened dog, who heard numerous rounds of shots fired throughout the afternoon, tried to break free.—
Sofi Zeman
July 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
Wickenden says Victor Mature was apprehensive at first.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Shaw said her own son, Steve, has always been apprehensive about flying.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Make sure to water regularly, especially in warmer months, and don’t be afraid to switch out plants seasonally to keep your containers fresh.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Don’t be afraid to give your rooms multiple purposes Take advantage of the various nooks and crannies in your home.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When a United Airlines flight issued a mayday call shortly after departure, passengers onboard were doubtlessly scared.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
-
For those not scared of heights, climb even higher up into the Michigan Island Light Station for panoramic views of the Apostle Islands.—
Katherine Lawless,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Now less alarmed and more reflective, Alaina sees the letters as relics of the house's strange past.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
-
But before the deal was finalized, council members grew alarmed that the company did not seem to have the necessary equipment or subcontracts in place as Super Bowl LIX and the annual Mardi Gras celebrations loomed.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Panicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panicked. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share