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.
was panicking
-
past progressiveof panic.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Heron likewise said he so nervous he could "barely sleep" on Wednesday night: "I was panicking."
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2025
She added she was panicking because his battery was low, and asked him to go back to where he came from.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2025
"I couldn't get through. So because I couldn't get through and the bailiff was on the way, I was panicking even more."
From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2025
She was panicking because she was aware, even at her tender age, that she was “poor and shall stand in need of something to gain support.”
From Slate ● Nov. 20, 2024
“I was panicking when I saw that thing in Magnolia Crescent....It was probably just a stray dog....”
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
