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
While these hoaxes mostly ended up being false alarms, experts note that these types of hoaxes are not only a serious crime with substantial penalties for those involved but can also put first responders and bystanders at risk.
—
ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
The threat turned out to be a false alarm, but the scare rippled through a Capitol already on edge after Kirk’s assassination.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
And ultimately, all of this was a false alarm.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
All turned out to be false alarms, but not before causing widespread disruption and fear.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for false alarm
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ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
The threat turned out to be a false alarm, but the scare rippled through a Capitol already on edge after Kirk’s assassination.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
And ultimately, all of this was a false alarm.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
All turned out to be false alarms, but not before causing widespread disruption and fear.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 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 15 Sep. 2025.
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