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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of alarming
Charlie Hunt, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Slowly Little, the Executive Director of NAMI Maryland, explained that NAMI is seeing an alarming rate of people of all ages struggling with their mental health.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The trend is alarming free speech and higher education advocates who see the First Amendment rights of professors in peril.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Adjective
But an alarming trend in many state legislative elections is lowering the bar even further, to something more like a one-party system.
—Charlie Hunt, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Slowly Little, the Executive Director of NAMI Maryland, explained that NAMI is seeing an alarming rate of people of all ages struggling with their mental health.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Inflation reached 69% — alarming at the time but modest in hindsight — and the first major wave of protests erupted.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The trend is alarming free speech and higher education advocates who see the First Amendment rights of professors in peril.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming
Adjective
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Even the more terrifying creatures, like rattlesnakes and scorpions, have their own undeniable, deadly beauty.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The story that introduced millions of streaming viewers to the Crain family and their terrifying home is getting a brand-new life — this time, on stage.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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The killings shocked the community, as did Caneiro's trial, which laid out disturbing details of betrayal and violence within the family.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That was such a terrible shock and really upsetting, horrifying, and scary.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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There’s such a faithful sense of tone to the book, which is uncanny and scary.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 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
-
Saturday, startling his sister.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But then over here, rumblings about the future of the company and people worrying what does this mean not only for themselves but for the prospects of Rolling Stone, which is a life mantra and mission that people came from all over the world to be a part of.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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Boaters who call North Point Marina their homeport during the boating season can stop worrying over where to moor their vessels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Apple Pay and Cash App became formidable competitors.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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The rout was on from there as Florida’s formidable frontcourt imposed its will, finishing with a 56-35 rebounding edge and a 20-point advantage in the paint.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to Bloomberg, analysts are already antsy about increasing prices scaring away customers, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
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Most of that money would go to compensate ranchers for cattle eaten by wolves and for guard dogs, scaring devices or other means to keep them away from livestock.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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