panic button

NOUN

alarm button

Synonyms

WEAK

911 buzzer emergency signal nurse's signal

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.

This week’s software-stock selloff feels like the latest reason to reach for the career panic button, unless you happen to be an artificial-intelligence developer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

“It’s too early to be hitting the panic button yet,” says Daniel Kritenbrink, a partner at the consultancy The Asia Group and previously the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025

Now Anthropic has provided one bot with a panic button just in case.

From Slate • Aug. 20, 2025

Officials in Mexico have described the system as a "panic button".

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2025

We pass vacant storefronts and small parking lots, and I’m pressing the panic button on the keys, but with no luck.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman