alarming

adjective

alarm·​ing ə-ˈlär-miŋ How to pronounce alarming (audio)
Synonyms of alarmingnext
: causing people to feel danger or alarm or to be worried or frightened
alarming news
The statistics revealed an alarming increase in childhood obesity.
alarmingly
ə-ˈlär-miŋ-lē
adverb
an alarmingly high rate of infection

Examples of alarming in a Sentence

an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The trend indicated in the report is alarming, Chung said. Kristen Hwang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026 The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that academic scores of public schoolchildren are in alarming decline. Courtney Corbello, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026 But this final talk of the episode is their most honest and alarming. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026 Even more alarming is the potential for outright abuse. Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alarming

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of alarm entry 2

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alarming was in 1658

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Cite this Entry

“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarming. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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