panic
noun
a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.
panicking
-
present participleof panic.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"People were panicking, running here and there. We're evacuating for the time being... and trying to get to the hills," he said, adding: "My family is safe. No one was harmed."
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
I recounted the incident to my therapist, panicking at the prospect of a “date.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
“Markets stop panicking when policymakers stop panicking,” Lee said, quoting billionaire hedge-fund manager David Tepper.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
Wary of not panicking, Kerry reeled off the next four scores to pull within one but their hopes were kept alive by goalkeeper Shane Murphy, who tipped Kobe McDonald's goal-bound shot over the bar.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
I forget where I had got to, and I am also panicking a bit about Time.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
