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heighten panic

[/ˈhaɪtən ˈpænɪk/]
verb phrase
intensificar o pânico
1. to increase or intensify a state of panic or fear
The false alarm served to heighten panic among the residents.
O alarme falso serviu para intensificar o pânico entre os residentes.
2. to make an anxious or alarming situation worse
Spreading rumors can heighten panic during a crisis.
Espalhar boatos pode intensificar o pânico durante uma crise.
Synonyms
increase panicamplify fearescalate anxietyexacerbate panicworsen alarm
Antonyms
allay paniccalm fearsreduce anxietyease panicsoothe alarm

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
intensificar o pânico
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
piorar o pânico
Common colloquial variant
São Paulo
aumentar o pânico
Formal and informal usage
Portugal
intensificar o pânico
Standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

spread like wildfire
cause a stir
set off alarm bells
fan the flames
create hysteria
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