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
adverb
ə-ˈlär-miŋ-lē
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
Even though their actions may feel alarming, Roots stresses the importance of taking a calm and curious approach.
—
Liz Regalia, Parents, 27 Dec. 2025
The footage is both alarming and extremely distressing.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
What’s just as alarming for the Warriors is the drop in Green’s offensive production through the first 30 games of the season.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
This stretch has in recent years also added more stop signs and crosswalks for pedestrians and cyclists, and the calming effect has been palpable as drag racers, careening Hummers, and otherwise alarming vehicles seem to avoid it (unlike MLK, unfortunately).
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
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Liz Regalia, Parents, 27 Dec. 2025
The footage is both alarming and extremely distressing.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
What’s just as alarming for the Warriors is the drop in Green’s offensive production through the first 30 games of the season.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
This stretch has in recent years also added more stop signs and crosswalks for pedestrians and cyclists, and the calming effect has been palpable as drag racers, careening Hummers, and otherwise alarming vehicles seem to avoid it (unlike MLK, unfortunately).
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarming. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
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