variants
also alarum
1
as in apprehension
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
observed with alarm the man staggering toward the edge of the cliff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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
variants
also alarum
1
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
2
as in to worry
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
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
Brittney Melton, NPR, 12 May 2025
Then the chief officer released a life raft from the vessel and the survivors boarded it while the skipper began to shout and sound an alarm to a nearby ship.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 15 May 2025
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 8 May 2025
Thankfully, everything had been explained to me in detail beforehand, including what to expect and how to care for my skin post-procedure, so I wasn’t alarmed by the changes.
—Vanese Maddix, Allure, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarm
Noun
However, while pooches live lavishly at the accommodations, critics are sounding the alarm.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 12 May 2025
Then the chief officer released a life raft from the vessel and the survivors boarded it while the skipper began to shout and sound an alarm to a nearby ship.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
This lunation is a micro moon, so don't be alarmed if the moon appears more petite than usual.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 8 May 2025
Thankfully, everything had been explained to me in detail beforehand, including what to expect and how to care for my skin post-procedure, so I wasn’t alarmed by the changes.
—Vanese Maddix, Allure, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm
Noun
-
What To Know DeSantis announced on Monday that more than 100 FHP troopers had been sworn in as special deputy U.S. marshals, giving them the authority to handle immigration cases—including apprehension and processing for deportation—without federal assistance.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
Hill’s apprehension dissolved when Wooden not only picked up as Hill spoke his name on the answering machine but also asked him to visit, leading to an instant reconnection.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
Police departments are issuing warnings and urging parents to talk with their kids about the potential dangers, while principals are sending letters home.—
Jazmin Towe,
Parents,
9 May 2025
-
The warning was issued Thursday at 9:51 p.m., and the latest update about this incident was released on Thursday at 9:58 p.m. Interstate 49 Current Incidents: There are currently no traffic incidents reported in this area.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Still, many rural white communities have long expressed fear at the threat of violence and feel authorities are not doing enough to protect them.—
Gerald Imray,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
-
The governments of both Asian nations will start negotiations on a broad set of issues at a neutral site, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X. The ceasefire comes after the Indian and Pakistani militaries targeted each others’ bases, fueling fears of an all-out war.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Start to say no to distractions that do not serve your higher purpose, and start saying yes to the things that challenge you, stretch you and even scare you a little.—
Melissa Sierra,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
What scares and excites you about where AI is headed for the next generation of artists?—
Lily Marks,
Time,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
Long term, some economists worry the back-and-forth on tariffs could strain relationships between the U.S. and its trading partners.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
Yet threats to use nuclear weapons from Russia and North Korea, and even from the U.S. president, have worried many.—
Alan Robock,
Scientific American,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
Conservatives called Democrats’ concerns overblown, particularly after years of Democratic control.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
The goal of strengthening Washington’s presence should be to reassure partners that U.S. pressure is designed to create stronger alliances, not to pave the way for abandonment, as well as to ensure that resisting China is viable for countries that are frightened by Beijing.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The American Declaration of Independence and Constitution frightened monarchies and despots around the world without a single bullet or gunboat.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Christiansen said he’s dismayed by the changing landscape of college athletics with the transfer portal and NIL (name, image and likeness) money, and every coach agonizes on how to spread 11.7 scholarships over a 35-man roster.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2025
-
There are, though, others dismayed by the decision.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share