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.
The direction of travel is more alarming for the rest of the field. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Deaths attributed to speeding were especially alarming, according to the study. Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025 The bill is alarming: The total comes to $60.95 billion for the month. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025 West Ham’s 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light was even more alarming, a competent first-half performance followed by a feeble reaction to falling behind to a Sunderland team enjoying their top-flight return to the full. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 18 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarming. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

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