Definitions

panic attack

NOUN

anxiety attack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

spasm

WEAK

fit of terror panic panic disorder scare

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the main stage, May Habib, chief executive of an AI platform called Writer, told the audience that Fortune 500 bosses are having a "collective panic attack" on the subject.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Irish filmmaker John Kelly, who specializes in animation, had a panic attack on an airplane while going through endless flagged emails.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

At one point the immersion in words triggered a panic attack, “like I was hearing voices.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Now a bigger fan than ever, Amanda jokes that the famous theme song makes her have a "little panic attack" at the thought of it happening again.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Or how scared he got the day eight-year-old Dylan broke his arm and had a panic attack.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera