a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.
an instance, outbreak, or period of such fear.
Finance. a sudden widespread fear concerning financial affairs leading to credit contraction and widespread sale of securities at depressed prices in an effort to acquire cash.
Slang. someone or something that is considered hilariously funny: The comedian was an absolute panic.
adjective
of the nature of, caused by, or indicating panic: A wave of panic buying shook the stock market.
(of fear, terror, etc.) suddenly destroying the self-control and impelling to some frantic action.
(initial capital letter) of or relating to the god Pan.
verb (used with object),pan·icked,pan·ick·ing.
to affect with panic; terrify and cause to flee or lose self-control.
Slang. to keep (an audience or the like) highly amused.
verb (used without object),pan·icked,pan·ick·ing.
to be stricken with panic; become frantic with fear: The herd panicked and stampeded.
Origin of panic
1
First recorded in 1595–1605; earlier panique, from French, from Greek Panikós “of Pan”; see Pan, -ic
If the panic was back with fresh branding as QAnon, it had a new ally in Facebook.
Evangelicals are looking for answers online. They’re finding QAnon instead.|Abby Ohlheiser|August 26, 2020|MIT Technology Review
I was having panic attacks, heart palpitations, and had developed a major sleeping issue, which ultimately led to me being prescribed Xanax.
OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder on launching a hemp-infused sparkling water brand|Rachel King|August 24, 2020|Fortune
His parents panicked, fearing he had been kidnapped, or worse.
An Unlikely Esports Star Emerges From Pakistan|Daniel Malloy|August 21, 2020|Ozy
I would advise not to stop and not to panic, the situation will somehow be solved and the brand will either resist or not.
Marketing strategies during COVID-19 times|Evelina Brown|July 13, 2020|Search Engine Watch
As the platform entertains millions of users, the spread of misinformation was creating panic among the users and misleading them regarding the seriousness of the Pandemic.
How Twitter is contributing to support masses during the Coronavirus outbreak|Harry Liam|May 22, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Just two young kids experiencing the panic, pain, and then the miracle, of new birth.
Jesus Wasn’t Born Rich. Think About It.|Gene Robinson|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hence, I suspect, the panic, the lockdown, the capitulation.
Pyongyang Shuffle: Hollywood In Dead Panic Over Sony Hack|James Poulos|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Someone was sure to capitalize on the Ebola panic, and Dr. Joseph Alton is that guy.
The Sham, Scaremongering Guide to Ebola|Abby Haglage|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In one sentence, he asserts: “Panic is worse than complacency.”
The Sham, Scaremongering Guide to Ebola|Abby Haglage|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Panic—and the inevitable panicking about the panic—is counterproductive.
Fighting Ebola and Starvation in Sierra Leone|Abby Haglage|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The next morning, in a panic, Fargus had sought out Bofinger.
Max Fargus|Owen Johnson
Nor did those who held the muskets help in the matter, for they too were taken with a panic.
Roger the Bold|F. S. Brereton
Every obstacle creates confusion, speedily converted into panic by opposition.
Destruction and Reconstruction:|Richard Taylor
The English sent fire ships into the Spanish fleet when it was anchored, causing it's ships to disperse in a panic.
Our Legal Heritage, 5th Ed.|S. A. Reilly
Everybody seemed seized with a panic, and fled to the sea or the mountains.
Twenty Years in Europe|Samuel H. M. Byers
British Dictionary definitions for panic (1 of 2)
panic
/ (ˈpænɪk) /
noun
a sudden overwhelming feeling of terror or anxiety, esp one affecting a whole group of people
(modifier)of or resulting from such terrorpanic measures
verb-ics, -ickingor-icked
to feel or cause to feel panic
Derived forms of panic
panicky, adjective
Word Origin for panic
C17: from French panique, from New Latin pānicus, from Greek panikos emanating from Pan, considered as the source of irrational fear
“Panic Attack” vs. “Anxiety Attack”: Which One Have You Had?That gut-wrenching feeling that creeps up as you read the news each morning, is it a "panic attack" or "anxiety attack"? Stop reading the news and read this instead, to learn the difference.