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
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 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 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
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
  • But what frightened me most was not death alone, but the idea of dying before my writings reached the world—that my story would disappear with me, and that my feelings, my memories, my identity, and my human experience would be erased.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Before signing off, the teenager thanks her — the exchange calmed her down after Google search results frightened her.
    Jennifer Karlin, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Why people don’t like it Some residents are worried about how these sprawling energy farms will affect local soil, especially near farmland.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The drop in tech talent in the Bay Area comes as workers grow more worried that AI could lead to fewer jobs.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The devastation scared off tourists, despite many other parts of Los Angeles' West Side remaining open.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Pasadena residents are upset after a bloodied peacock was found in their neighborhood last week after what appeared to be a violent encounter with a mail carrier.
    Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Improved Digestion Bloating, constipation, acid reflux, upset stomach—all are uncomfortable signs of indigestion after eating.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Video shows the moment terrified people ran for cover as the shots rang out.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Family members on the ground waiting for their kids to get off the ride were terrified as well, the girls said.
    James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Lavoie, who is of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation heritage and grew up on a First Nation reserve in Quebec, was intrigued but a little apprehensive.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Sometimes workers would be startled by the sight of a machine moving by itself and realize it was being controlled by someone in Turkey.
    Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Panicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panicked. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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