freakout

[ freek-out ]

noun

1. an act or instance of freaking out.
2. a person who freaks out.

verb phrase

1. to lose or cause to lose emotional control from extreme excitement, shock, fear, joy, despair, etc.:

   Seeing the dead body completely freaked him out.

2. to enter into or cause a period of irrational behavior or emotional instability, especially under the influence of a drug:

   to be freaked out on LSD.

Word History and Origins

Origin of freakout¹

First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of verb phrase freak out (in the sense “to lose one's emotional control”

Example Sentences

Last week I raised a silent, guilty glass to icons-old when I saw Solange Knowles and her elevator freakout.

From The Daily Beast

But that overlooks the real breaking news surrounding the Robertson freakout.

From The Daily Beast

If the freakout is contained within the cable-news echo chamber, we will all be better off.

From The Daily Beast

“There is complete freakout mode at the agency right now,” one former intelligence officer tells The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

If you wanted create a scandal to have maximal appeal to GOP base freakout, this is it.

From The Daily Beast