as in terrifying
causing fear
an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also alaruming
1
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
2
as in disturbing
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
alarmed at the skyrocketing cost of home heating fuel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alarming
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
Concern over alarming parents Formula companies already are testing their products for heavy metals and other toxic elements, INCA representatives confirmed.
—Rachel Fobar, Daily News, 7 June 2026
Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Adjective
Yet despite the alarming discovery, Calzini tells PEOPLE that obtaining follow-up care for his son has not been easy.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
Concern over alarming parents Formula companies already are testing their products for heavy metals and other toxic elements, INCA representatives confirmed.
—Rachel Fobar, Daily News, 7 June 2026
Verb
The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming
Adjective
-
The disregard for one’s health is terrifying.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
-
The woman who survived a terrifying accident on the Stevenson Expressway last week is speaking out about the incident.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Terrorism is not just any political violence, but violence specifically directed at frightening the wider public into acquiescing into the terrorist’s political goals.—
Ben Bayer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Iranian leadership complained that visas for key staff members were being held up and the tumult was disturbing its preparation for the tournament.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Fighting for your idea at the risk of disturbing the peace in the room is hard.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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But the idea of transferring to a new school was scary.—
Susan Svrluga,
Washington Post,
15 June 2026
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It's been scary, and it's been really hard to navigate.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
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Saturday, startling his sister.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Now, his husband has been left worrying and praying.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
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Is there a health issue that's worrying you?—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Nor will a stronger Ukraine incline Western countries to provide it with more formidable security guarantees.—
Thomas Graham,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Braka's transformable battlecruiser, the Venari Ral, is a formidable opponent, and the two spaceships face off in deep space.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Predator decoys that are in constant motion may be most effective at scaring birds.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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However, the fact that both are scaring away new users thanks to soaring prices isn’t exactly a vote of confidence to investors, which could soon force AI executives to rethink their business models.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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