ALARUM Synonyms: 238 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'alarm' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of alarm are dread , fear , fright , panic , terror , and trepidation . While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger. // view the situation with alarm

Q: When is 'dread' a more appropriate choice than 'alarm'?

The words dread and alarm can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety. // faced the meeting with dread

Q: When can 'fear' be used instead of 'alarm'?

While the synonyms fear and alarm are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. // fear of the unknown

Q: When might 'fright' be a better fit than 'alarm'?

The synonyms fright and alarm are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear. // fright at being awakened suddenly

Q: Where would 'panic' be a reasonable alternative to 'alarm'?

In some situations, the words panic and alarm are roughly equivalent. However, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity. // the news caused widespread panic

Q: When would 'terror' be a good substitute for 'alarm'?

The meanings of terror and alarm largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear. // immobilized with terror

Q: How do 'trepidation' and 'dread' relate to one another, in the sense of 'alarm'?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation. // raised the subject with trepidation

alarm 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈlärm

variants also alarum

Definition of alarm

as in dread

suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune observed with alarm the man staggering toward the edge of the cliff

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in warning

the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk in a daring midnight ride Paul Revere gave the alarm that British troops were approaching

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in fear

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger filled with alarm when the flood waters reached their front steps

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alarm

2 of 2

verb

variants also alarum

as in to scare

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 to concern

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alarm distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of alarm are dread, fear, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When is dread a more appropriate choice than alarm?

The words dread and alarm can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of alarm?

While the synonyms fear and alarm are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When might fright be a better fit than alarm?

The synonyms fright and alarm are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

Where would panic be a reasonable alternative to alarm?

In some situations, the words panic and alarm are roughly equivalent. However, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When would terror be a good substitute for alarm?

The meanings of terror and alarm largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of alarm?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

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 alarm

Noun

However, the alarm for freedom was sounded at Independence Hall with the Liberty Bell on July 4, 1776, according to the National Park Service. — Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 July 2026 Since then, Emilie Kiser has been vocal on social media about water safety for children, urging parents to install pool fences and door alarms with working batteries, and ensuring children have swimming sessions. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 July 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 Hordes of soccer fans wearing Mexico and South Korea jerseys were walking down Olympic Boulevard energized but not alarmed in any way. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for alarm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm

Noun

Unlike the 1960 film, where Mizuno narrates his own tragedy, Yeon and Katayama’s new Vapor is an object of mystery and dread rather than the story’s protagonist.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Without a sense of dread and horror, From just becomes a kind of supernatural soap opera where everyone is angry at one another all the time.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of dread

Noun

An evacuation warning was issued for the area of Paradise Ranch, between Templin Highway and the Pyramid Lake area, according to Los Angeles County fire officials.

— Andrea Klick, Daily News, 7 July 2026
Burgin initially took the test in November after moving to California from Minnesota and then received the DMV warning letter in June.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of warning

Noun

Bell also spoke of the importance of prioritizing communication in their relationship — especially during moments of fear or insecurity.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Our country right now is mired in a level of bullying and intolerance that, for some, might feed their fears, but won’t feed their family.

— Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of fear

Verb

There was one American flag sign lit, with some storefront decor gleaming red, white and blue, but the heat seemingly scared most away from celebrating July 4 before Saturday's big day.

— Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Johnson says Monday was her first time on the Wild Mouse attraction; however, the experience did not scare her away from the park.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

One of the most concerning things about the situation is that someone left such an explosive just lying around.

— Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Plummeting immigration is concerning, since our data suggests that immigration was the biggest contributor to Florida’s growth since 2023.

— Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

Trustee Robert Jones renewed his worries that the creation of a subdivision of only the Sacramento and Yolo County portions of the district in April excluded conservative voters in El Dorado County who would likely to vote against the bond measure.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Both relatively tolerant, despite the mothers’ initial worries about outsiders, the households mirror one another.

— Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

And at times members of the congregation thank her and others for casting aside those anxieties and keeping this place going.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
That uncertainty allows anxiety to grow because your brain naturally wants answers that do not yet exist.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

Verb

At the time of writing, as the Marine Traffic map shows, tanker traffic is barely moving through the Strait, and many ships, unable to obtain insurance or with their owners frightened at the level of risk involved, are refusing to advance.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
But because the president has frightened Congress, Congress doesn’t raise its voice when the president puts his Albert Speer–like building project, or intends to, on Congress’s land.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Cite this Entry

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“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of alarm

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verb

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