as in frightened
to strike with fear
for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in panicky
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of panicked
Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Midway through the movie, Springsteen’s mother calls him in a panicked state.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
The Louvre closed for the day following the theft, with panicked visitors, many of whom mistakenly believed a terrorist attack was taking place, shepherded out.
—News Desk, Artforum, 20 Oct. 2025
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers stormed through Santa Ana, California, in June, panicked calls flooded into the city’s emergency response system.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Even when a child seems panicked and short of breath, their body might still be getting enough oxygen.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025
The panicked neighbor immediately called 911.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Dramatic video and images from the moment the quake struck showed panicked residents on Mindanao island, rushing out of buildings, or trying to maintain their balance as the ground beneath them shook violently.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
But Kerkering picked up the ball and panicked.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
The video shows a bleeding, panicked Lester urgently instructing Randall to bring Oliver his shrimp.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
When the spreadsheet was invented, accountants panicked.
—Jj Rosen, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Oct. 2025
Spencer panicked and called her mom, who then alerted staff at The Waverly about Ray’s disappearance from his room, per Fox 13.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Density-averse town residents panicked.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025
Pages hit a soft comebacker to Kerkering, but the reliever struggled to field the ball, and then panicked and threw it home.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering panicked.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Where rookie pilots panicked in battle, Gabreski functioned like a robot, dispassionately following the instructions laid out in his military flight manuals.
—Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
These revelations triggered a wave of panicked news stories, and soon the internet was full of startups offering blue-light-blocking glasses and screen filters.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Midway through the movie, Springsteen’s mother calls him in a panicked state.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
The Louvre closed for the day following the theft, with panicked visitors, many of whom mistakenly believed a terrorist attack was taking place, shepherded out.
—News Desk, Artforum, 20 Oct. 2025
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers stormed through Santa Ana, California, in June, panicked calls flooded into the city’s emergency response system.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Even when a child seems panicked and short of breath, their body might still be getting enough oxygen.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025
The panicked neighbor immediately called 911.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Dramatic video and images from the moment the quake struck showed panicked residents on Mindanao island, rushing out of buildings, or trying to maintain their balance as the ground beneath them shook violently.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
But Kerkering picked up the ball and panicked.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Finally, on the day of the tux fitting, Joe panicked, abruptly leaving the atelier.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
The video shows a bleeding, panicked Lester urgently instructing Randall to bring Oliver his shrimp.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
When the spreadsheet was invented, accountants panicked.
—Jj Rosen, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Oct. 2025
Spencer panicked and called her mom, who then alerted staff at The Waverly about Ray’s disappearance from his room, per Fox 13.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Density-averse town residents panicked.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025
Pages hit a soft comebacker to Kerkering, but the reliever struggled to field the ball, and then panicked and threw it home.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering panicked.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Where rookie pilots panicked in battle, Gabreski functioned like a robot, dispassionately following the instructions laid out in his military flight manuals.
—Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panicked
Verb
-
One, frightened, pressed her belly into the pavement.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Carley Coleman, operations director at adjacent Via Vite, said her staff and guests dining at the restaurant were frightened when gunshots rang out.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As top-tier sports continue to flee pay-TV like so many panicky horses hoofing their way out of a burning stable, the WNBA is nosing around for oats among the haybales as the sparks fly skyward.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
After Ava is revealed as the sixth juror, Rachel, Keanu and others give Morgan props for her social game and comp wins, though Ava notes Morgan can be panicky with her decision-making.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Few books have scared me as much.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
And don’t be ashamed to straight-up ask if the route is appropriate for someone who has never rock climbed or is scared of climbing a ladder.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tang thought about his other friends who are worried about their aging parents.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Too many guys would be too worried about keeping their scholarships, never mind their snaps.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Monroe has to slowly tilt from being beguiled and intrigued by Stevens to totally terrified by him, and her ability to pull it off while explosions and gun battles are going on around her sells the film’s tonal shifts perfectly.—
Matthew Jackson,
Vulture,
22 Oct. 2025
-
And that would be key going into any future battle with Homelander, who still terrified Neuman.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even after the misunderstanding, Herrera didn't appear to be upset.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Kim was upset, especially when the hamster unexpectedly died shortly after.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether a pup bolts after a squirrel, slips its collar, or runs off after being startled, those first few minutes can feel endless.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Who jumped, startled, when Rey laughed nervously.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The two have been apprehensive advocates for each other over the past two seasons, and this season Stella vowed to go to bat for Mia’s bid for news director.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Were a few days of apprehensive action enough to reload the rally for a true year-end FOMO ramp?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Panicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panicked. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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