as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the sudden sight of a grizzly bear filled the hiker with panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to scare
to strike with fear
for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of panic
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Four juveniles and two 18-year-olds were arrested at a July 4 celebration in Blue Ash after police said hundreds of juveniles set off fireworks in the crowd causing a panic.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Earth may be caught in the middle of a galaxy-encompassing void, but there’s no need to panic.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for panic
Noun
The strong response from community leaders and local officials mirrored nationwide panic that was sparked in January after two Secret Service officers — who were mistaken for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — attempted to enter a school in Back of the Yards on the city’s South Side.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Four juveniles and two 18-year-olds were arrested at a July 4 celebration in Blue Ash after police said hundreds of juveniles set off fireworks in the crowd causing a panic.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Verb
Herles still remembers panicking after her audition back in 1998.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Earth may be caught in the middle of a galaxy-encompassing void, but there’s no need to panic.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for panic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panic
Noun
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Concerns of fear growing in migrant communities Mora said this issue runs deep for him and others who work in immigration law.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
23 July 2025
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Several top Trump administration officials sold off stock market holdings in the days leading up to the president’s announcements of sweeping tariffs that sparked fears of a global trade war and rattled financial markets.—
Suhail Bhat,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Verb
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There’s a thread of carbolic soap, though not enough to scare away those even moderately familiar with smoky Islay Scotch.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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Officials used horns, sirens and lights to scare the dogs away from Culbertson, according to KC Pet Project documents obtained by The Star.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
22 July 2025
Noun
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This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The trauma of the killings left her terrified to close her eyes and sleeping in her mom’s bed for reassurance no one would harm her.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
24 July 2025
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Chuck Schumer is terrified, but that's the reality of where Democrats are today.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Noun
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As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
16 July 2025
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Anyone who has broken in a pair of sandals knows the dread of a blister after a day of walking, but that’s not an issue with this pair.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Many dogs and other pets were startled by the noise and ran away, shelter officials said, and good Samaritans found them and brought them to shelters.—
Marcus D. Smith
July 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 July 2025
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On June 2, the heart of Sicily—Mount Etna—experienced a volcanic eruption that startled tourists, summoned emergency alerts, and shot lava and ash high into the sky.—
Erica Firpo,
AFAR Media,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Panic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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