alarming

adjective

alarm·​ing ə-ˈlär-miŋ How to pronounce alarming (audio)
: 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.
Tesla sales in China are down 6% year-by-year which may not seem significant, but China is a crucial market for the American EV brand, so falling sales there are alarming. Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 The more immediate practicalities also are alarming, Ambartsoumian-Clough said. USA Today, 15 May 2025 The statistics on Black youths in Chicago remain alarming, according to university and media reports. Tio Hardiman, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 Houston hospitals haven’t taken action even in light of alarming research in their own city. Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 12 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarming. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alarming

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!