panic

adjective

pan·ic | \ ˈpa-nik

Definition of panic

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : of, relating to, or resembling the mental or emotional state believed induced by the god Pan panic fear

2 : of, relating to, or arising from a panic panic buying panic selling a panic retreat

3 : of or relating to the god Pan Panic rites

panic

noun

Definition of panic (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : a sudden overpowering fright also : acute, extreme anxiety

b : a sudden unreasoning terror often accompanied by mass flight widespread panic in the streets

c : a sudden widespread fright concerning financial affairs that results in a depression of values caused by extreme measures for protection of property (such as securities)

2 dated slang : someone or something that is very funny : riot

panic

verb

panicked\ ˈpa-nikt

\; panicking

Definition of panic (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to affect with panic

2 : to cause to laugh uproariously panic an audience with a gag

intransitive verb

: to be affected with panic

Other Words from panic Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about panic

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Choose the Right Synonym for panic

Noun

fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. fear of the unknown dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety. faced the meeting with dread fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear. fright at being awakened suddenly alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger. view the situation with alarm panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity. the news caused widespread panic terror implies the most extreme degree of fear. immobilized with terror trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation. raised the subject with trepidation

Did You Know?

Noun

Panic comes to us from French panique, which in turn derives from Greek panikos, meaning literally "of Pan." Pan is the pipe-playing, nymph-chasing Greek god of fertility, pastures, flocks, and shepherds. (His name is a Doric contraction of paon, meaning "pasturer.") He also has a rather dark side - his shout is said to have instilled fear in the giants fighting the gods, and the Greeks believed him responsible for causing the Persians to flee in terror at the battle of Marathon. Panic entered our language first as an adjective suggesting the mental or emotional state that Pan was said to induce. The adjective first appeared in print at the beginning of the 17th century, and the noun followed about a century later.

Examples of panic in a Sentence

Noun

He was in a panic when he realized how late he was. There's no reason to get into a panic. The villagers fled in panic from the approaching army. The crowd was in a state of panic. She has panic attacks whenever she has to speak in public.

Verb

If something goes wrong, don't panic. The deer, panicked by the headlights, ran in front of the car.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The park constables were apparently panic struck, and incapable of acting. — Longreads, "Where Have You Hidden the Cholera?," 5 Apr. 2018 The report also praised the prohibition of the use of gay and trans panic defenses in Illinois. — NBC News, "129 anti-LGBTQ state bills were introduced in 2017, new report says," 12 Jan. 2018 Panic buttons were pushed everywhere after Seattle started the season 2-4, but the two-time defending N.F.C. champion Seahawks rallied to an 8-2 finish. — Benjamin Hoffman, New York Times, "N.F.L. Wild-Card Playoff Schedule and Picks," 8 Jan. 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The current finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has just overhauled her first budget in an apparent panic (see article). — The Economist, "The Indian government’s anti-corruption campaign revs up," 31 Aug. 2019 Some passengers jumped off the ferry in panic when the fire broke out before midnight Tuesday and were rescued by passing vessels. — Washington Post, "245 rescued from burning ferry in Philippine waters, 3 dead," 30 Aug. 2019 With that in mind, now is probably not the time for investors -- especially those buying stocks for retirement or other longer-term goals -- to panic. — Paul R. La Monica, CNN, "Why people should not get too worked up about recession fears," 28 Aug. 2019 David's simmering panic becomes palpable, taking the form of destruction: light fixtures burst, decorations crumble, a disco ball shatters. — Wired, "David Makes Man Invents a Doorway to a New Kind of TV," 28 Aug. 2019 Watching someone give in to chaos and panic can be palliative for an audience. — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, "The Survival of Iggy Pop," 26 Aug. 2019 But experts express confidence that a recession will not trigger a financial panic. — New York Times, "Iceland’s Purple Planes Are Grounded, and With Them, Its Economy," 25 Aug. 2019 When Winston asks Monty on a date in front of people, Monty, in a homophobic panic, beats Winston to a bloody pulp. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, "The Timeline You Need To Understand 13 Reasons Why Season 3," 24 Aug. 2019 The credit crunch in 2008 triggered a panic

panic

Definition of panic

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Choose the Right Synonym for panic

Did You Know?

Examples of panic in a Sentence

panic

Definition of panic

Other Words from panic

Synonyms & Antonyms for panic

Choose the Right Synonym for panic

Did You Know?

Examples of panic in a Sentence

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