What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
freaked
Example
I freaked out when I saw the spider crawling on my arm. [freaked: past tense]
Example
She was totally freaked by the news of her father's illness. [freaked: adjective]
panicked
Example
The passengers panicked when they heard the loud explosion. [panicked: past tense]
Example
He felt panicked when he realized he had lost his wallet. [panicked: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Panicked is more commonly used than freaked in everyday language. Panicked is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while freaked is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between freaked and panicked?
Both freaked and panicked are informal words that are not appropriate for formal contexts. However, panicked is more commonly used in news reports and other serious contexts than freaked.