alarming

1 of 2

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

alarming

2 of 2

present participle of alarm entry 2

Synonyms of alarming

Adjective

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

Examples of alarming in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After a weekend of alarming headlines about AI mishaps, public sector breaches, and agents gaining unauthorized access to outside systems, tech and AI CEOs are descending on Washington yet again this week. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Anthropic boss Dario Amodei was alarming on a recent press tour. — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026

The fact that these record numbers are coming months early, with plenty of time to strengthen, is what is alarming. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Nonprofit leaders are reporting alarming burnout rates and more and more organizations are facing financial challenges that have spurred layoffs and, in some cases, closures. — Phil Buchanan, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of alarm entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1658, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alarming

• disarming
• arming
• charming
• farming
• harming