as in frightened
too overcome with panic to think or act normally
The panic-stricken horses crashed through the door of the burning barn.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of panic-stricken
For the first time in his life, the great shark couldn’t swim freely and, panic-stricken, bolted clear of his world and there was only emptiness, and his tail and pectoral fins were helpless in the void.
—
Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
That afternoon, another detainee called her with a message that left her panic-stricken: Her son, 25-year-old Yoiker David Sequera, had been taken away to a notorious offshore prison.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
These are not the first crew members to be panic-stricken by a stray rat today.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 May 2023
Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
That afternoon, another detainee called her with a message that left her panic-stricken: Her son, 25-year-old Yoiker David Sequera, had been taken away to a notorious offshore prison.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
These are not the first crew members to be panic-stricken by a stray rat today.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panic-stricken
Adjective
-
Republicans are frightened, too.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Farima was withdrawn and frightened.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
When the shot rang out, Nathalie tried to reach her daughter, but the melee of panicked runners forced her out a side gate.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In one video posted on Facebook, a panicked woman could be seen running out of the park along with several other visitors, as screams were heard in the background.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The mother, Diana Estremera, was terrified.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Wolf attacks on cattle, which began in earnest in the summer of 2018, this year escalated to a degree that strained local law enforcement and terrified residents.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
A lot of business owners are scared of it.—
Devan Dalla,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
There's nobody here game-planning or scared of Kansas City right now, and Mahomes has too much on his plate.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Was Broncos coach Robert Park concerned — maybe a little panicky?—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Panic-stricken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panic-stricken. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share