alarmist

1 of 2

noun

alarm·​ist ə-ˈlär-mist 

plural -s

: one inclined to raise or excite alarms especially needlessly

alarmist

2 of 2

adjective

alarm·​ist ə-ˈlär-mist 

: spreading unnecessary fear about something that is not truly dangerous : needlessly raising or exciting alarms

I have to admit that when I first saw the television commercial for Guard Dog …, it seemed a little alarmist to me. The commercial makes it sound as if anyone without this program is leaving the door wide open to a privacy breach.

—Kim Komando, Popular Mechanics, March 1999

trying to warn people without being alarmist

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alarm entry 1 + -ist

First Known Use

Noun

1792, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1794, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

alarmist

noun

alarm·​ist

ə-ˈlär-məst

: a person who alarms others especially needlessly

alarmism

-ˌmiz-əm

noun