PANIC Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'panic' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of panic are alarm , dread , fear , fright , terror , and trepidation . While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity. // the news caused widespread panic

Q: In what contexts can 'alarm' take the place of 'panic'?

The words alarm and panic can be used in similar contexts, but alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger. // view the situation with alarm

Q: When could 'dread' be used to replace 'panic'?

Although the words dread and panic have much in common, 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fear' instead of 'panic'?

While the synonyms fear and panic are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. // fear of the unknown

Q: When would 'fright' be a good substitute for 'panic'?

The synonyms fright and panic are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear. // fright at being awakened suddenly

Q: When can 'terror' be used instead of 'panic'?

The meanings of terror and panic largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear. // immobilized with terror

Q: How do 'trepidation' and 'dread' relate to one another, in the sense of 'panic'?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation. // raised the subject with trepidation

panic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of panic next

as in fear

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger the sudden sight of a grizzly bear filled the hiker with panic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

panic

2 of 2

verb

as in to scare

to strike with fear for some reason, the herd of feeding animals at the zoo panicked him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word panic distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of panic are alarm, dread, fear, fright, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

In what contexts can alarm take the place of panic?

The words alarm and panic can be used in similar contexts, but alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When could dread be used to replace panic?

Although the words dread and panic have much in common, 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

When is it sensible to use fear instead of panic?

While the synonyms fear and panic are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When would fright be a good substitute for panic?

The synonyms fright and panic are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When can terror be used instead of panic?

The meanings of terror and panic largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of panic?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

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

Noun

Catch up quick: There's a global rout in tech stocks Monday, caused by a panic linked to the new Chinese AI platform DeepSeek. —

Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 27 Jan. 2025 The memo has circulated online and has ignited panic among groups around the world that rely on foreign aid from the United States for their programs — which range from disease prevention to curbing infant mortality to alleviating the impact of climate change. —

Edward Wong, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Verb

Still, other migrants, like Ramon Cortez, 43, also from Venezuela, refused to panic about what was brewing in the news and on social media. —

Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 Several funerals were held on Wednesday for families, including numerous children who died on Tuesday in the blaze, which forced panicked hotel guests to jump from windows in the middle of the night. —

Reuters, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for panic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for panic

Noun

On trial for murder: The trial of three men linked to a series of robberies and murders that rocked New York’s L.G.B.T.Q. community and spread fear throughout the city began with opening statements.

— Shayla Colon, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Letting go of the fear now serves as an unspoken theme of Chickahominy.

— Tricia Despres, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025