panic 1 of 2

panic

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word panic distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of panic are alarm, dread, fear, fright, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

In what contexts can alarm take the place of panic?

The words alarm and panic can be used in similar contexts, but alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When could dread be used to replace panic?

Although the words dread and panic have much in common, dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When is it sensible to use fear instead of panic?

While the synonyms fear and panic are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When would fright be a good substitute for panic?

The synonyms fright and panic are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When can terror be used instead of panic?

The meanings of terror and panic largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of panic?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

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 panic
Noun
For many of Berkowitz’s living victims, their shooting injuries may have healed — but the fear and panic have remained. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025 Daughtery emphasizes that this report shouldn’t cause panic, but rather arm you with information that empowers your approach. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
Back in 1998, for example, faculty and academic officials panicked about the rise of the internet, expressing concerns that seem both quaint and prescient. Piers Gelly july 28, Literary Hub, 28 July 2025 Stay Calm—And Strategic—About Recession Talk There’s a lot of noise out there about a possible recession, but most of it isn’t worth panicking over. David Earl, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for panic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panic
Noun
  • And yet, our fears or feelings that things will spiral out of control again?
    Kenny Malone, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The study is not meant to fuel fears but to provide a clear argument for planetary defense by putting the risks of asteroid impacts into context.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some, scared off by the complexity of picking a policy and by the price tags, tumble over the edge and go without insurance in a health system where the rate for an emergency room visit can be thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars.
    Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Effectively scaring a bear also reinforces the person as dominant in an encounter, so the bear learns to avoid people.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Ultimately, these discussions about college don’t have to include arguments or high anxiety.
    Robert Cole, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • By Linda Wells Skin in the Game Leather Bound Tanning is back, and Gen Z is ignoring the risks, turning to sunbathing and tanning beds to soothe anxiety and feel in control By Erin Flaherty Read On Dietary Restrictions?
    Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Most give up halfway, frightened by the warnings of those below.
    Sudhir Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • While the notion might frighten fans who have Thursday nights perpetually blocked off on their calendars, shorter episodes could prove beneficial in giving the Critical Role founders a little bit of a break.
    Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Kate Riley: Despondently stalking up and down avenues of Manhattan, scheming of ways to acquire food without paying for it, alienating and terrifying everyone who cared about me, trying to invent toys.
    Teddy Wayne August 12, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Autumn Rodman/Reddit At that moment, Rodman was terrified.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • That feeling of dread is really only a response to our dread as to what humans are capable of.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Right now, a legislator, even Anwar, spending time in prison adds to the whispers of dread circulating around Hartford.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Also, when purchasing hiking gear to wear for gorilla trekking, buy only neutral colors—like army green, khaki, black, and tan — to avoid startling them and drawing extra attention to yourself.
    Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2025
  • However, the unexpected authenticity of the situation to her Memphis roots initially startled the artist.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Panic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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