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alarm·ism | \ ə-ˈlär-ˌmi-zəm 
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\Definition of alarmism
: the often unwarranted exciting of fears or warning of danger
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Other Words from alarmism
alarmist \ ə-ˈlär-mist \ noun or adjective
\ noun or adjectiveExamples of alarmism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web David Wallace-Wells, the deputy editor of New York magazine whose work has appeared in The Times, argued the contrary, saying that a dash of alarmism suits alarming developments.
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Marc Tracy, New York Times, "As the World Heats Up, the Climate for News Is Changing, Too," 8 July 2019 Speaking from one side of his mouth, Trump has amplified alarmism.
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Fintan O’toole, The New York Review of Books, "Vector in Chief," 29 Apr. 2020 For instance, does the alarmism of climate-change enthusiasts turn otherwise persuadable people into skeptics?
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Barton Swaim, WSJ, "‘Why We’re Polarized’ Review: Going to Extremes," 5 Feb. 2020 Just as my husband’s absence started to become more real for me, which has been a challenge, the coronavirus alarmism took over all our lives.
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Annie Lane, oregonlive, "Dear Annie: Coronavirus outbreak adds to bereaved spouse’s sense of isolation," 7 Apr. 2020 Former Obama administration officials said his commentary stoked alarmism in the news media and spread fear among the public.
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Michael Crowley, New York Times, "Some Experts Worry as a Germ-Phobic Trump Confronts a Growing Epidemic," 10 Feb. 2020 Some sages dismiss this argument as slippery-slope alarmism that won’t come to pass.
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The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The ‘Corrupt Purposes’ Impeachment," 22 Jan. 2020 For parents eager to counter environmental alarmism, here is a true story of adaptation and hope.
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Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, "Children’s Books: The Island Girl & the Royal Plot," 21 June 2019 There was no conspiracy theory too strange for the staff of The Epoch Times Germany to believe, Albrecht found: chemtrail alarmism, Pizzagate, and discredited tales of children murdered by refugees all found a purchase on its pages.
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Seth Hettena, The New Republic, "The Obscure Newspaper Fueling the Far-Right in Europe," 17 Sep. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alarmism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for alarmism
The first known use of alarmism was in 1842
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