Panic-stricken

Panic-stricken describes a state of overwhelming fear and anxiety, often accompanied by irrational behavior, a loss of composure, and a desperate attempt to escape or alleviate the perceived threat. It represents a heightened state of emotional distress triggered by a sudden or overwhelming event, causing individuals to react impulsively and with a diminished capacity for logical thought or reasoned action. The experience often manifests physically through symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing. A person in a panic-stricken state may feel paralyzed by fear, making rational decision-making extremely challenging and increasing the likelihood of poor choices. The situation underscores the powerful influence of fear on human behavior.

Panic-stricken meaning with examples

• When the fire alarm blared, the crowd was immediately panic-stricken, stampeding towards the exits in a chaotic, disorganized manner. People pushed and shoved, disregarding the safety of others as they desperately tried to escape the perceived danger.
• After the car accident, Sarah was panic-stricken, unable to speak coherently as she assessed the damage and looked for her daughter. The shock of the event overwhelmed her, making rational thought impossible and forcing her to call for help.
• The sudden earthquake left the residents of the city panic-stricken. Buildings shook violently, screams echoed through the streets, and people scrambled for shelter, their faces etched with terror and confusion.
• Witnessing the hostage situation unfold, the negotiator was understandably panic-stricken; he needed to bring calm to the situation to achieve the best possible outcome.
• As the ship began to sink, the passengers, especially those unable to swim, were panic-stricken. Their survival instincts kicked in, and they desperately searched for life jackets and any means to stay afloat.