panic

noun
UK: /ˈpæn.ɪk/
US: /ˈpæn.ɪk/

  1. A sudden feeling of great fear that cannot be controlled.

    1. I felt panic when I couldn't find my keys. [ ] [ ]
    2. The news about the virus caused widespread panic among the population. [ ] [ ]

  2. A situation in which people suddenly feel great fear, often causing them to act without thinking.

    1. There was a panic after the fire alarm went off. [ ] [ ]
    2. The stock market crash triggered a financial panic across the globe. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

alarm fright fear terror anxiety dread
panic verb

  1. To suddenly feel so worried or frightened that you cannot think or behave reasonably.

    1. Don't panic! Everything will be okay. [ ] [ ]
    2. She began to panic when she realized she was lost in the forest. [ ] [ ]

  2. To cause someone to feel very anxious or frightened.

    1. The loud noise panicked the horses. [ ] [ ]
    2. The thought of public speaking always panics me, no matter how much I prepare. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "panic" in English means: A sudden feeling of great fear that cannot be controlled., A situation in which people suddenly feel great fear, often causing them to act without thinking..

The phonetic transcription of "panic" is /ˈpæn.ɪk/ in British English and /ˈpæn.ɪk/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "panic": alarm, fright, fear, terror, anxiety, dread.

Example usage of "panic": "I felt panic when I couldn't find my keys.". More examples on the page.