panic attack
noun
plural panic attacks
: a sudden feeling or episode of panic
specifically
: a brief episode of intense fear or dread that is of sudden onset and typically subsides within 30 minutes, usually occurs for no apparent reason but may sometimes be associated with an identifiable triggering stimulus (such as an existing phobia), and is accompanied by a sense of unreality and impending loss of control and by various debilitating physical symptoms (such as increased heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath)
Those undergoing a panic attack often believe they are suffering a heart attack or some other illness. —
Lillian Lee Kim
Lillian Lee Kim Agoraphobia is a fear only of fear itself, that is, of any situation where help would be unavailable and escape difficult in case of a panic attack. —The Harvard Mental Health Letter
compare anxiety attack
The Harvard Mental Health Letter Examples of panic attack in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After raising $2 million in 2023, Ansari had a panic attack during a trip to visit his team in India.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The woman escaped, later suffered a panic attack and sought emergency medical treatment, the suit alleges.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Yun, the 16-year-old, experienced a panic attack in 2023 after surviving three years of monthly eliminations.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
In the midseason 11 premiere, Charles even suffered a panic attack after a particularly stressful case.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for panic attack
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Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The woman escaped, later suffered a panic attack and sought emergency medical treatment, the suit alleges.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Yun, the 16-year-old, experienced a panic attack in 2023 after surviving three years of monthly eliminations.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
In the midseason 11 premiere, Charles even suffered a panic attack after a particularly stressful case.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for panic attack
Cite this Entry
“Panic attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20attack. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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