as in scaring
to strike with fear
for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 panicking
But their retail traders continued buying all the way down, drawing on their past successes in increasing exposure amid pullbacks rather than panicking.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told them to stop panicking.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
In some counties, home values have tripled, and the residents are panicking.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Screaming from panicking passengers was heard in video taken from inside the bus.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
A bit of panicking was justified.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 16 Dec. 2025
According to Festa, the situation intensified when his best friend called, warning that several coaches were panicking and feared losing their jobs, and Festa's own membership could be in jeopardy as well.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
In another video, posted to X by Haaretz journalist Nir Hasson, a group of children, still in their performance costumes, can be seen weeping and panicking as they are ordered from the building.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
After pouring out all of Tallulah’s earthly possessions — loose cash, thongs, several vapes, Bubble Tape — Paulena takes the bag and flounces off, leaving Tallulah vibrating with rage and Maia quietly panicking.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told them to stop panicking.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
In some counties, home values have tripled, and the residents are panicking.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Screaming from panicking passengers was heard in video taken from inside the bus.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
A bit of panicking was justified.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 16 Dec. 2025
According to Festa, the situation intensified when his best friend called, warning that several coaches were panicking and feared losing their jobs, and Festa's own membership could be in jeopardy as well.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
In another video, posted to X by Haaretz journalist Nir Hasson, a group of children, still in their performance costumes, can be seen weeping and panicking as they are ordered from the building.
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
After pouring out all of Tallulah’s earthly possessions — loose cash, thongs, several vapes, Bubble Tape — Paulena takes the bag and flounces off, leaving Tallulah vibrating with rage and Maia quietly panicking.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panicking
Verb
-
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.—
Outside,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s terrifying on a whole different level.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
-
At another level, there does seem to be something absurd and even terrifying about the idea that someone who is not elected can become the leader of a country and then will be recognized as the leader of that country and receive the immunities afforded to heads of state.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Saturday, startling his sister.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Panicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panicking. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
