Panic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb /ˈpa-nik/ pan·ic

Meaning & Definition of Panic

Panic (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or arising from a panic
  2. of, relating to, or resembling a mental or emotional state (such as fear) that is extreme, sudden, and often groundless —originally used in allusion to the god Pan, who was believed to cause such a state
  3. of or relating to the god Pan

Panic (noun)

  1. a sudden overpowering fright; also, acute, extreme anxiety
  2. a sudden unreasoning terror often accompanied by mass flight
  3. 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)

Panic (verb)

  1. to affect with panic
  2. to cause to laugh uproariously
  3. to be affected with panic

Panic (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger

    "the sudden sight of a grizzly bear filled the hiker with panic"

    similar: alarm, anxiety, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, horror, scare, terror, trepidation
    related: phobia, creeps, jitters, nervousness, willies, pang, qualm, twinge, agitation, apprehension, consternation, discomposure, disquiet, funk, perturbation, concern, dismay, worry, cowardice, faintheartedness, timidity, timorousness
    near: aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, hardihood, intrepidity, intrepidness, stoutness, valor, audacity, guts, nerve

Panic (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to strike with fear

    "for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him"

    similar: affright, alarm, fright, frighten, horrify, scare, scarify, shock, spook, startle, terrify, terrorize, give one the creeps, make one's flesh creep
    related: appall, bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up, amaze, astound, awe, chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring, discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry
    opposite: reassure
    near: assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe, embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel

Related Entry: Panic-stricken (adjective)

Panic-stricken is a different word from Panic. The synonyms below are for panic-stricken, not for panic.

  1. too overcome with panic to think or act normally

    "The panic-stricken horses crashed through the door of the burning barn."

    similar: agitated, anxious, apprehensive, disconcerted, disquieted, disturbed, funky, jittery, jumpy, nervous, panicked, panicky, perturbed, skittish, uneasy, upset, worried, affrighted, afraid, aghast, alarmed, fearful, frightened, horrified, horror-struck, hysterical, scared, scary, shocked, spooked, terrified, terrorized, chicken, fainthearted, fearsome, shrinking, shy, timid, timorous, tremulant, tremulous, phobic, appalled, dismayed, startled, cowed, daunted, intimidated, unnerved, coward, cowardly, craven, gutless, lily-livered, pusillanimous, careful, cautious, heedful, prudent, unadventurous, wary
    opposite: adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daredevil, daring, dashing, gutsy, plucky, spirited, spunky, venturesome, venturous, brave, courageous, gallant, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous, assured, collected, composed, confident, cool, sanguine, sure, unperturbed, dauntless, resolute, undaunted, fearless, unafraid

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Panic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Panic:

alarm, anxiety, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, horror, scare, terror, trepidation, affright, frighten, horrify, scarify, shock, spook, startle, terrify, terrorize, give one the creeps, make one's flesh creep

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Panic

Words with the opposite meaning of Panic:

reassure

Related Words for Panic

phobia, creeps, jitters, nervousness, willies, pang, qualm, twinge, agitation, apprehension, consternation, discomposure, disquiet, funk, perturbation, concern, dismay, worry, cowardice, faintheartedness, timidity, timorousness, appall, bowl over, floor, jolt, shake, shake up, amaze, astound

Near Antonyms of Panic

aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, hardihood, intrepidity, intrepidness, stoutness, valor, audacity, guts, nerve, assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe, embolden

Word Forms of Panic

Inflections: panicked, panicking

Derived words: panicky (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Panic

French panique, from Greek panikos, literally, of Pan, from Pan

First known use: circa 1586

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Panic

Words & Phrases Containing Panic

panic attack, panic button, panic disorder, panic grass, panic room, panic-stricken, push/hit/press the panic button

Frequently Asked Questions about Panic

What does "Panic" mean?

"Panic" means of, relating to, or arising from a panic. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: of, relating to, or arising from a panic. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Panic"?

Other words for "Panic" include alarm, anxiety, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, horror and scare. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Panic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Panic"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Panic". Common alternatives include alarm, anxiety, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, horror, scare, terror and trepidation.

What is the opposite of "Panic"?

Antonyms of "Panic" include reassure. Near antonyms include aplomb, assurance, boldness and confidence.

How do you use "Panic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Panic" in a sentence: "the sudden sight of a grizzly bear filled the hiker with panic"; "for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him".

Is "Panic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Panic" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Panic" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Panic" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Panic"?

"Panic" is pronounced /ˈpa-nik/ and divided into syllables as pan·ic.