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 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 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 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
  • Expert says Putin ‘panicked’ as Ukraine’s deep strikes push war further into Russia.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Here, The Athletic analyses three key points and asks whether fans should be patient or panicked after Tottenham’s first game of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of panicked
Adjective
  • It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Middle East has long worried about its dependence on the United States and has thus been diversifying its partnerships since the Arab Spring, in 2011.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Common signs that your dog may be sensitive to something in their food can include frequent scratching, paw licking, gas, loose stools, occasional digestive upset, or changes in coat quality.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The thinking is that orbital data centers can leapfrog past some of the ground-level issues such as where to build them, and upset communities that don’t want to host data centers, despite their municipalities making deals for construction.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset
Adjective
  • Fleet operators acknowledged that some drivers have been apprehensive to make the leap to zero-emission trucks because the technology is new and charging can be a challenge.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of apprehensive
Adjective
  • Nvidia's forecast comes at a time when investors remain nervous about capital expenditures from large tech companies, the circular nature of financing deals and the return from AI investments.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Why bats can pose a rabies risk Rabies spreads through the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected mammal, usually through a bite.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Hilton’s sister, Barbara Giarraffa, frightened fans and TikTok moderators were among those who called authorities.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Parents at evacuation centers in the village said many children were afraid to return indoors and woke up frightened whenever aftershocks rattled the island.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Being anxious or nervous about this big step in your career is very normal.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Super teams share prompts openly, coached by leaders who use the tools themselves, which leaves them markedly less anxious about AI displacing their jobs.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • The vibe is intimate, with the jittery undercurrent of an unboxing video.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • After two jittery routines to start her competition, Claire triumphed with a stick to rocket ahead of Blakely and Carey.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 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 30 Aug. 2026.

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