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
Then came a panicked call from Miller, who spotted jackhammers across the street. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026 For a panicked moment, the two of them just looked at each other. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 LeCun has compared the panicked responses to recent AI incidents to blaming the entire plumbing industry for one bad plumber’s mistake, LeCun said. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 Belle finds Kevin in their garage, panicked and holding a gun. — Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 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 Frustrated and slightly panicked, Hannah explains that this has happened before and wonders if she’s broken. — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026 At least 22 people were killed and many injured when a fire tore through a crowded wedding in a Kinshasa neighborhood hall, as panicked guests jammed narrow corridors to escape. — Saleh Mwanamilongo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
The private credit market got slammed earlier this year when investors panicked about funds’ exposures to software companies, which suddenly seemed obsolete amid developments in AI. — Ellen Dimauro, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Tim, Devin and Reese, with the fourth, Lila, represented by the camera — are panicked, worried the strange-looking man is leading them to some abject horror. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 Pivotal scenes filmed there include a Season 1 reconciliation and a Season 3 moment when Belle finds her husband panicked in the garage holding a gun. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026 Manchester United, panicked into needing a wide player, held conversations over a loan. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panicked
Adjective
  • Events came to a head months later when a panicky party forced Starmer’s resignation and his replacement by Burnham as party leader and prime minister in July.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The hardest part about it might be dealing with panicky Cubs fans in a pennant race.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The stranger’s hollow cheeks, his dark eyes, whose lashes always appeared wet, the bony shoulders that protruded from the singlet Chee Meng had lent him—all of it frightened Shawn.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Families confronting a devastating diagnosis may already be frightened, grieving and overwhelmed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • And there are so many more that have stayed silent because people out there have told them not to speak up, who have scared them into not speaking up.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Elmore says the bear eventually climbed down the side of the truck, and employees scared it away from the area.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Legend has it Michael Jackson asked his security to keep fans away from him at a local dive bar, only to become upset when the locals were all too good at treating him like a normal person.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, after he was found out to be a con artist, according to his critics, Minnesota media appears to be more so upset that Jamal was not acting in the Somali community’s best interests.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • For years, Democratic candidates were terrified of being accused of wanting to raise taxes.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Marris was terrified for her daughter and furious with herself.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 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
  • However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Their approach startled the predator, who took off with the mother godwit in its claws.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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