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
Dramatic photos taken from the scene show a firefighter on a tower ladder plucking a panicked child from a fire escape. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 His pets were accused of the unneighborly habit of loosing themselves upon suburban streets, prompting panicked phone calls and unnecessary police raids. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Video shows thick black smoke engulfing the Mutiara Sentosa 2 as panicked passengers crowd the decks, some leaping overboard to escape the flames. Trisnadi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Their panicked horns were textbook examples of the Doppler Effect. Literary Hub, 31 July 2026 People reach for these tools when markets turn turbulent, which is when automated discipline helps most and a panicked move costs most. Pawan Jain, The Conversation, 29 July 2026 Holzinger jumps into the tank, her movements inelegant and panicked, and pulls Nüganen out. Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Her wide eyes speak their own language of panicked blinks and observant stares. Judy Berman, Time, 15 July 2026 Rather than promptly ordering an evacuation, Schettino’s crew continued to tell panicked and confused passengers that there had been a blackout and that everything was under control. Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026
Verb
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 And officials certainly aren’t panicked by bird flu’s arrival. Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 Waves reached 30 to 40 feet, flooding the yacht and sending seawater crashing through it as passengers panicked. Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026 Seven people died as a result of poisoning from drug tampering in the Chicago area and panicked the nation. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panicked
Adjective
  • The vice president was panicky, the authors wrote.
    Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
  • In the mid-2010s, when every other norm of civility was beginning to fall apart, Jeopardy strategy became a panicky knife fight for the Doubles, the most powerful clues on the board.
    Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Fig, a dog from Tulare County, disappeared after becoming frightened by fireworks and gunfire during Fourth of July celebrations, according to authorities.
    Denis Akbari, USA Today, 22 July 2026
  • Fig, an Australian shepherd, ran away from home after getting frightened by July Fourth fireworks.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • But Russian ballistic missiles appear to be the threat that has Ukrainian’s leadership most worried.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As students head back to school across Georgia, some parents are worried about more than academics.
    Brian Unger, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • What scared Josée wasn’t dying, but the uncertainty of when her pain would end.
    Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That was what really scared me at the beginning of my own novel-writing process.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Braves opted against parting with their most valuable prospects at the trade deadline, a decision that’s upset part of the fanbase and many around the organization but will require time to judge.
    Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • It’s considered the biggest upset in the history of the tournament.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Selling meant losing all of that in one signature, and some deep, unspoken part of her was terrified of what came next.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • In a case like the Davis stabbings that terrified a community, there might have been a public outcry if former Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig hadn’t charged Dominguez with murder, Reichel said.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • However, Khramov is still a bit apprehensive bringing in her cello since every instrument Yupia plays leaves markings and gets damaged more quickly.
    Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Local voters have proven to be apprehensive about backing tax measures, according to June 2 election results.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Witness Hoon Chan Sim, 53, was sitting on a park lawn with his dog near West Drive when he was startled by the squeal of braking tires, and spun around to see the horrific collision.
    Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Wildlife experts say black bears are strong climbers and may scale trees, utility poles or other tall structures when startled by people, traffic or dogs.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Panicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panicked. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on panicked

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster