panic button
noun
: something setting off a precipitous emergency response
There was no pushing of panic buttons at the White House, no rushing of troops.—
J. C. Harsch
J. C. HarschExamples of panic button in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The app includes information about incidents in progress, ways to report crimes and send information to investigators, and a panic button to dispatch officers from Baltimore Police and Matcom to your location.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Fernando Mateo, co-founder of United Bodegas of America, remembered Saleh last year saying his family’s store needed a panic button.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Servín activates his panic button that many searchers carry.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
The addition of dual-frequency GPS makes its location services more accurate, and emergency satellite calling gives you a panic button in case you get stranded in the wilderness.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for panic button
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.
Tara Lynch, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Fernando Mateo, co-founder of United Bodegas of America, remembered Saleh last year saying his family’s store needed a panic button.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Servín activates his panic button that many searchers carry.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
The addition of dual-frequency GPS makes its location services more accurate, and emergency satellite calling gives you a panic button in case you get stranded in the wilderness.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for panic button
Cite this Entry
“Panic button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20button. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
