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
In the streets of Washington, word of the alarming development spread through discussions with rideshare drivers and in the overheard comments of tuxedoed attendees who blurted out comments in smartphone conversations while walking away from the original site of the dinner.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Suddenly, the Spurs got uncontested dunks at an alarming rate.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Sunday was more alarming, as Gil only induced three whiffs.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Most alarming of all, Gil only induced three whiffs from the Astros.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alarming
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.
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Suddenly, the Spurs got uncontested dunks at an alarming rate.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Sunday was more alarming, as Gil only induced three whiffs.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Most alarming of all, Gil only induced three whiffs from the Astros.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarming. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
