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.
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panic
1 American
[pan-ik]
/ ˈpæn ɪk /
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.
-
an instance, outbreak, or period of such fear.
-
Finance. a sudden widespread fear concerning financial affairs leading to credit contraction and widespread sale of securities at depressed prices in an effort to acquire cash.
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Slang. someone or something that is considered hilariously funny.
The comedian was an absolute panic.
adjective
-
of the nature of, caused by, or indicating panic.
A wave of panic buying shook the stock market.
-
(of fear, terror, etc.) suddenly destroying the self-control and impelling to some frantic action.
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Panic, of or relating to the god Pan.
verb (used with object)
-
panics,
present (3rd person singular)
-
panicked,
past participle, past
-
panicking
present participle
-
to affect with panic; terrify and cause to flee or lose self-control.
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Slang. to keep (an audience or the like) highly amused.
verb (used without object)
-
panics,
present (3rd person singular)
-
panicked,
past participle, past
-
panicking
present participle
panic
2
American
[pan-ik]
/ ˈpæn ɪk /
noun
-
Also called panic grass. any grass of the genus Panicum, many species of which bear edible grain.
-
the grain.
panic
1
British
/ ˈpænɪk /
noun
-
a sudden overwhelming feeling of terror or anxiety, esp one affecting a whole group of people
-
(modifier) of or resulting from such terror
panic measures
verb
Panic
2
British
/ ˈpænɪk /
adjective
panic
Idioms
Synonym Usage
See terror.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
panicsimple
-
panicssimple
-
have panickedperfect
-
has panickedperfect
-
am panickingprogressive
-
are panickingprogressive
-
is panickingprogressive
-
have been panickingperfect progressive
-
has been panickingperfect progressive
Past
-
panickedsimple
-
had panickedperfect
-
was panickingprogressive
-
were panickingprogressive
-
had been panickingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of panic1
First recorded in 1580–90; earlier panique, from French, from Greek Panikós “of Pan”; see Pan, -ic
Origin of panic2
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English panik, from Latin pānicum “Italian millet”
Explanation
To panic is to become filled with fear and anxiety. Someone in a panic is totally freaking out. Have you ever heard someone say "Don't panic"? That's easier said than done. People panic when they lose control over themselves because of fear, stress, or danger. A pilot who runs into turbulence and then flees from the cockpit has panicked. A surgeon who makes a mistake might panic for a second, before chilling out and helping the patient. It's hard to do a good job when you panic. Panicking is pretty much the opposite of relaxing.
Vocabulary lists containing panic
Emotions on Display
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You Name It: Eponyms
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Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 1
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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.
See Examples For:
To keep panic out of your portfolio, run your investments through this simple three-question test before making a move:
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
One of its early poems read: “Oh, panic not to this docile juice / Finally, few of my jackets did distrust the goose.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
Servaas Storm, an economist closely following the AI sector at the Delft University of Technology, said the industry is already facing severe financial headwinds that could precipitate a panic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
Her 22nd birthday meal was spent in the restaurant toilets "having the worst panic attack I've ever had".
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
The barn was already on fire, and Dodger and Elwood were running around their pen in a panic.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
Panic selling is when an investor sells stocks based on fear or short-term swings rather than a clear analysis of the business behind the stock.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
The Panic of 1893 had kicked off a full-blown depression, shrinking credit across the economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
"Panic attacks, freezing in crowds of people, quick temper," Gershkovich, 34, said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Panic has set in among some who reportedly find themselves screaming in committee meetings, “We’re screwed!”
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026
Panic gripped me as he took her in his arms.
From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck
The strategists added that geopolitical crises generally cause temporary panics, which could prove attractive entry points for investors if the U.S. economy stays strong.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
The Fed stands ready to supply liquidity during panics, while the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assures most depositors that they need not bear the consequences of choosing an unsound bank.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
If a cat panics, Mathers said, anything could happen, including losing the pet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, the federal government stepped in repeatedly during banking panics to stabilize the system.
From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2026
If she panics, she’ll forget to hold on.
From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret
Robinson had denied the charges, saying he had "panicked" and had been "scared" when the Daily Mail published a story accusing him of "stoking race riots from his sunbed".
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
He panicked, thinking it would "change her life forever", he said.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
Strong shaking in Panama City, over 200 kilometers from the epicenter, sent panicked people pouring into the streets from the capital's numerous high-rise buildings.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026
This is critical because the people who call 911 are often panicked and notoriously unreliable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Seven’s eyes went wide; Valley and Thorn looked at her, panicked.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
"The kind of person who misses a flight and, instead of panicking, calmly adapts to the situation. This person may still feel stressed, but they're better able to manage it through psychological flexibility."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026
Hartnett has often reminded investors of late that markets stop panicking when the Fed starts panicking.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
Loum Tchaouna: The winger provided some threat for Coventry on the wing and his speculative acrobatic effort in the first half had Raya panicking for a second.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
I guess I should have said, ‘bond traders can stop panicking when Scott Bessent starts panicking,” Jim Bianco, president of Bianco Research, posted on X shortly after the announcement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
One moment, she’s stepping in to help me when I’m panicking in the attic.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
