a wave of panic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of panic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety that affects a group of people or an individual. Example: "As the news spread about the impending storm, a wave of panic swept through the crowd, causing people to rush for the exits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

A wave of panic slaps him awake again.

Independent

We haven't had a wave of panic cancellations yet.

The New York Times - Travel

That set off a wave of panic buying throughout the nation.

The New Yorker

The helplessness and frustration of the moment sent a wave of panic through me.

The New Yorker

"First, there'll be a wave of panic," he says, flicking off the telemetry as he speaks.

The New York Times - Arts

It killed five people, sickened 17 others and set off a wave of panic.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

In November, the Dubai government set off a wave of investor panic after it told creditors that it would delay interest payments on the debt that Dubai World owed.

The New York Times

At the BART stop in North Berkeley on Friday morning, a fresh scrawl of graffiti read, "Nuclear crisis heading toward you!" Yet for those looking for a wave of California panic as the radiation arrives, look elsewhere, at least for now.

The New York Times

When showtime arrives, and the audience has filed in, and the house lights are down, and the models are ready and the producer is on the cans ready to start the show and give me my cue and everyone's waiting for the music to start, a wave of acid panic washes over me – what if I suddenly fall over and accidentally press stop on the CD player?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hedge fund assets shrank by $210 billion in the third quarter, hit by volatility, higher borrowing costs and $31 billion in redemptions after a wave of investor panic.

Forbes

LVIV, Ukraine -- In the past few months, alarm bells have been raised in Poland as critics of the country's new ruling party, Law and Justice, or PiS, speak out against what they believe are dangerous infringements on democracy and a wave of conspiratorial panic in the country.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a wave of panic" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of fear or anxiety that affects an individual or a group.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of panic" when a milder term like "anxiety" or "concern" would more accurately reflect the situation. Overstating the emotion can reduce the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of panic" functions as a noun phrase that describes an emotional state. It acts as a subject or object, conveying a sudden and intense feeling of fear and anxiety. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a wave of panic" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that vividly describes a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it effectively conveys the intensity of emotional distress. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the situation's severity, and consider milder alternatives if appropriate, like a moment of alarm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of terror

Replaces "panic" with "terror", emphasizing a stronger sense of fear.

a flood of alarm

Emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the alarm, similar to a flood.

an outbreak of fear

Uses "outbreak" to convey a rapid and widespread onset of fear, similar to panic.

a wash of dread

Substitutes "panic" with "dread", highlighting a sense of impending doom or fear.

a sudden fright

Substitutes "wave of panic" with a more concise expression of sudden fear.

a gust of apprehension

Replaces "panic" with "apprehension", indicating a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad might happen.

a flush of anxiety

Employs "flush" to indicate a sudden and intense feeling of anxiety.

a tide of unease

Uses "tide" to convey a gradually increasing sense of discomfort and anxiety.

a moment of alarm

Replaces "wave of panic" with a brief period of alarm.

a ripple of worry

Employs "ripple" to suggest a spreading sense of concern or anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of panic" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of panic" to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear. For example, "The announcement caused a wave of panic".

What's a less intense way to describe a sudden fear than "a wave of panic"?

If the situation doesn't warrant the intensity of "a wave of panic", you could use phrases like "a moment of alarm" or "a ripple of worry".

Are there synonyms for "a wave of panic" that emphasize a more physical reaction?

Yes, you could use expressions like "a surge of terror" or "a flush of anxiety" to emphasize the physical sensations accompanying panic.

Is it appropriate to use "a wave of panic" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In formal writing, you might opt for a slightly more restrained phrase like "a sudden fright" if the situation allows.