panicky

adjective

Definition of panickynext
as in panicked

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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 panicky The vice president was panicky, the authors wrote. — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 In the mid-2010s, when every other norm of civility was beginning to fall apart, Jeopardy strategy became a panicky knife fight for the Doubles, the most powerful clues on the board. — Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 The redemption requests at Blue Owl included some large institutions and wasn’t just limited to panicky retail investors, this person said. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026 Most descriptions conclude that Obama used this quirky exchange to overrule his panicky advisors and run full steam ahead on health reform. — Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026 Diving supplies, stratospheric prices, and rules and regs for who could buy how much gas and when sent Americans into panicky buying habits. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026 Avoid jerky or panicky movements, and don’t wave for help — movement may attract the drone. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026 Then her daughter’s voice grew panicky. — Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panicky
  1. panicked
  2. worried
  3. upset
  4. apprehensive
  5. nervous
  6. frightened
  7. anxious
  8. jittery
Adjective
  • In the hours that followed, footage of the panicked scenes that followed began surfacing on social media.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
  • Holzinger jumps into the tank, her movements inelegant and panicked, and pulls Nüganen out.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of panicked
Adjective
  • With more rain on the way this weekend, a Chicago children's theater is worried.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • With the vastly higher rate of vulnerability identification, Google is worried bad actors will also be able to identify software flaws faster.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Baltimore City's latest crackdown on dirt bikes has some riders upset and asking for the mayor and police commissioner to meet with them.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 29 July 2026
  • The day nurse is 100 percent correct that Catherine is crashing there, but no one really seems too upset about it.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Definition of upset
Adjective
  • Local voters have proven to be apprehensive about backing tax measures, according to June 2 election results.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
  • The Mets have been apprehensive to deal Baty for many reasons.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026
Definition of apprehensive
Adjective
  • If your new pet seems shy, nervous or withdrawn, don't panic.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • In the moments leading up to the big question, Morando was admittedly nervous.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Perreault-Magny said frightened and flustered migrants sometimes try to climb into his unmarked patrol pickup, mistaking it for a smuggler coming to collect them.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, the people standing beside the robot look frightened.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Kids who, like him, are growing up afraid and anxious because of domestic violence at home, and who need what Torre didn’t have — somewhere safe to go to for help.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • In June, a group of anxious European policy researchers issued Europe 2031, a scenario in which civilization between the Urals and the Atlantic ends up at least functionally extinct.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • The most egregious case is Sturgis’ Ru, who transforms over the course of the play from a jittery wreck into a vengeful, plaintive monster.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • On Wednesday, jittery neighbors said the near disaster is definitely keeping them on edge.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026
Definition of jittery

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Cite this Entry

“Panicky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panicky. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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