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.
had been panicking
-
past perfect progressiveof panic.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Markets that had been panicking recovered once they knew the Fed would stand behind them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
While officers were on the 6th floor, they also assisted a 41-year-old woman, who had been panicking in her apartment, to safety, Mirabelli said.
From Chicago Tribune ● Feb. 4, 2012
