alarming

adjective

alarm·​ing ə-ˈlär-miŋ 

: 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

Synonyms of alarming

• terrifying
• frightening
• scary
• formidable
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating
• shocking

Examples of alarming in a Sentence

an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst

Recent Examples on the Web

Many women arrive in my office already anxious, having watched alarming videos or read harrowing accounts online. —Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026

That makes the decline in checks alarming. —Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026

The company’s alarming financials did little to buoy waning investor enthusiasm, with shares continuing a months-long plunge that reached an all-time low last week. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026

Wilson played with a physicality that was needed during his time in Dallas, but his 14 missed tackles in 2025 was alarming. —Calvin Watkins mar. 19, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of alarm entry 2

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alarming

• disarming
• arming
• charming
• farming
• harming