false alarm
noun
1
: an alarm (such as a fire or burglar alarm) that is set off needlessly
2
: something causing alarm or excitement that proves to be unfounded
Examples of false alarm in a Sentence
A false alarm drew firefighters to the school.
The report that the factory would be closing was a false alarm.
He thought he might be having a heart attack, but his chest pains were just a false alarm.
Recent Examples on the Web
The heavy-handed response to the false alarm has sparked outrage in the community, with Allen’s grandfather Lamont Davis demanding accountability.
—
Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
At first, it’s dismissed as a false alarm; test launches happen somewhat regularly.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
But such a response to a false alarm will mean the cell will die unnecessarily.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2025
Parents may also find reassurance in knowing that human experts verify each threat to help reduce false alarms.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for false alarm
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Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
At first, it’s dismissed as a false alarm; test launches happen somewhat regularly.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
But such a response to a false alarm will mean the cell will die unnecessarily.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2025
Parents may also find reassurance in knowing that human experts verify each threat to help reduce false alarms.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for false alarm
Cite this Entry
“False alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20alarm. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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