ALARMING Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

alarming 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlär-miŋ

Definition of alarming

as in terrifying

causing fear an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alarming

2 of 2

verb

variants also alaruming

present participle of alarm

as in frightening

to strike with fear I don't want to alarm you, but I think you should know there's a bear on your back porch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disturbing

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy alarmed at the skyrocketing cost of home heating fuel

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of alarming

Adjective

The alarming statistics do not capture the full scale of the crisis, said Renata Ram, Fiji adviser for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026 Perhaps more alarming, the Irish have just six 10-yard runs despite being in control all game against Rice and most of the second half against Wisconsin. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene. — Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for alarming

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming

Adjective

He’s crafted a propulsive, simultaneously terrifying and hilarious thrill ride that showcases both his cinematic chops and perverse sense of humor.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Compounding fears was a terrifying warning from a former AI executive last week that AI could end civilization within a decade and the tech companies aren’t doing enough about it.

— S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Verb

Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.

— Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026

Definition of frightening

Verb

Challenges and solutions A major challenge for the researchers working with a quantum system is to get the signal out of the system without disturbing its fragile state.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Food companies are trying to find ways to make products healthier or more affordable by changing ingredients without disturbing familiar textures.

— Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Adjective

The clubhouse was somewhat somber Friday afternoon, with players still feeling shaken up after witnessing one of the scariest collisions many had ever seen on a baseball field.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
In Mexico, Yamel’s mother tells scary folktales to caution her against real-life dangers.

— Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of scary

Verb

The unpredictable motion scares them off, startling them and throwing them off balance.

— Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
Last week, an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight-demonstration team, zoomed dangerously low along the Florida coast, stirring up sand and umbrellas, startling some beachgoers—and, it must be said, delighting many others.

— Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026

Definition of startling

Adjective

Soldier Field and Wrigley Field will have formidable new competition.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Importantly, such research demonstrated the formidable risk associated with self-criticism for postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as for disruptions in mother-child communication, which might exacerbate postpartum psychopathology.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of formidable

Verb

Since reintroducing Mexican wolves in 1998, the Fish and Wildlife Service has employed some programs to help manage livestock-wolf conflict, like using range-riders to monitor and deter wolves and scaring them off using non-lethal methods.

— Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Few griz/hunter interactions ever move beyond the scaring stage.

— Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of scaring

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“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of alarming

adjective

verb

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