panic-stricken

American  

[pan-ik-strik-uhn] / ˈpæn ɪkˌstrɪk ən /

Also panic-struck

adjective

1. overcome with, characterized by, or resulting from fear, panic, or the like.

   panic-stricken parents looking for their child; a panic-stricken phone call.

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panic-stricken British  

adjective

1. affected by panic

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Etymology

Origin of panic-stricken

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Investors waking up to volatile and panic-stricken markets on Monday may be surprised to discover that gold is now in negative territory for the year after a painful bout of profit-taking and deleveraging.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

Prosecutors argued that this left his poorly trained, panic-stricken crew effectively useless amid the fire, which possibly originated in a trash can sometime after 2:35 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

“Are you panic-stricken? Are your eyes wide? Do you look furtive?” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 11, 2025

In one emotional scene, a panic-stricken Jo begins trying to balance the books after a long day.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2024

I, panic-stricken, buttoning my shirt as fast as my numb fingers would go, started to say something but he made a quick, shushing gesture at me with his hand.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt