alarm

¹alarm

noun \ə-ˈlärm\

: a device that makes a loud sound as a warning or signal

: a feeling of fear caused by a sudden sense of danger

: a warning of danger

Full Definition of ALARM

1

usually alarum archaic :  a call to arms <the angry trumpet sounds alarum — Shakespeare>

2

:  a signal (as a loud noise or flashing light) that warns or alerts; also :  a device that signals <set the alarm to wake me at seven>

3

:  sudden sharp apprehension and fear resulting from the perception of imminent danger

4

:  a warning notice

Variants of ALARM

alarm also ala·rum \ə-ˈlär-əm also -ˈler-; -ˈla-rəm\

Examples of ALARM

1. The alarm went off when he opened the door.
2. The whole town heard the alarm.
3. She set the alarm for six o'clock.
4. The alarm went off at six o'clock.
5. The rumors caused widespread alarm and concern.
6. His parents have expressed alarm about his safety.
7. The new developments are being viewed with alarm.
8. She looked around in alarm when she heard the noise.
9. The dog's barking gave the alarm and the intruders were caught.
10. A passerby saw the intruders and raised the alarm.

Origin of ALARM

Middle English alarme, alarom, from Middle French alarme, from Old Italian all'arme, literally, to the arms

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ALARM

Synonyms

apprehension (also alarum), apprehensiveness, dread, foreboding, misgiving

Related Words

agitation, anxiety, anxiousness, concern, disquiet, disquietude, distress, disturbance, fearfulness, funk, perturbation, solicitude, suspense, unease, uneasiness; scruple, worry; doubt, incertitude, mistrust, suspiciousness, uncertainty, wariness; defeatism, pessimism; foreknowledge, premonition, presage, presentiment

Near Antonyms

anticipation, excitement, hope, hopefulness; confidence, optimism, sanguinity

See Synonym Discussion at fear

Rhymes with ALARM

disarm, dry farm, fat farm, firearm, fish farm, forearm, gisarme, poor farm, rearm, sidearm, stiff-arm, straight-arm, strong-arm, tonearm, tree farm, truck farm, unarm, wind farm, work farm, yardarm

²alarm

transitive verb

: to cause (someone) to feel a sense of danger : to worry or frighten (someone)

Full Definition of ALARM

1

:  to strike with fear

2

:  disturb, excite

3

:  to give warning to

4

:  to equip with an alarm

— alarm·ing·ly \-ˈlär-miŋ-lē\ adverb

Variants of ALARM

alarm also alarum

Examples of ALARM

1. I didn't mean to alarm you.
2. The rapid spread of the disease has alarmed many people.

First Known Use of ALARM

1586

Related to ALARM

Synonyms

affright, frighten (also alarum), fright, horrify, panic, scare, scarify, shock, spook, startle, terrify, terrorize

Antonyms

reassure

Related Words

appall (also appal), bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up; amaze, astound, awe; chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring; discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry

Near Antonyms

assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe; embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel