as in terrifying
causing fear
an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 worrying
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
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Even more alarming, one in four Medicaid requests—the very safety net program for children, the elderly, and those living in poverty—go unanswered.
—Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Aaron Glenn has a defensive background, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2021 to 2024, so the Jets' defensive struggles have been alarming so far.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Adjective
Along with alleged abuse by guards, the documentary exposes alarming living conditions for prisoners who are stacked in barracks like cord wood.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Even more alarming, one in four Medicaid requests—the very safety net program for children, the elderly, and those living in poverty—go unanswered.
—Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bond yields leaking higher since the Fed cut rates a quarter-point on Wednesday is not atypical, and — so far — is not alarming equity markets, inflation watchdogs or fiscal hawks.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Aaron Glenn has a defensive background, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2021 to 2024, so the Jets' defensive struggles have been alarming so far.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming
Adjective
-
The device sounded terrifying – an apparently new, nuclear capable IRBM, fired with multiple conventional warheads, that the Kremlin boasted could rip through European defenses.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
He’s supposed to be a terrifying mirror to our discontent.—
Emily Temple
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Interest wanes during the summer, except for mowing, watering and worrying about this or that patch of dead grass.—
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp,
IndyStar,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Typically this can include cognitive symptoms, like worrying about everything all the time, and a host of physical symptoms.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While some corn mazes are perfect for all ages and include activities especially for younger kids, others are more grown-up and may prove too scary or challenging for little ones.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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The new generation can’t afford to stay in the game, which is scary.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The modus operandi generally involved either scaring a convenience store owner and fleeing with thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes, like one such incident at a 7-Eleven in Walnut Creek where masked men stole $8,000 in tobacco products, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
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During today’s announcement, Kennedy at least acknowledged the trade-offs inherent in scaring pregnant Americans off Tylenol, and allowed that, sometimes, using it is unavoidable.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Technological challenges also proved formidable, as ambitious projects like Sealab failed.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Sep. 2025
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Ong will discuss the strategies and creative principles behind the media giant’s approach to leveraging its formidable library of IP in the gaming world.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Miami could choose to move on from the star receiver due to the horrible season-ending injury.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Many of the game’s best teams spent the regular season alternating between brilliant and horrible.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This can become problematic when a chatbot affirms concerning behaviors, beliefs, or activities.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
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Having two concerning storm systems so close to each other isn’t common in the region.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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