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 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
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 alarming
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
Levin says these side effects are common and not alarming.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 2 Jan. 2026
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
The Big Story Deputy Health Secretary and acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill called for vaccine makers to separate the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three separate shots, alarming the scientific community.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Adjective
The most alarming part of Joe Schoen’s roster might be how bad the defense is even after the GM invested so much on that side of the ball last offseason.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
Levin says these side effects are common and not alarming.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
In a city home to the world’s largest Jewish population outside Israel, Mamdani’s message has struck sharply different chords, galvanizing left-leaning activists while alarming many Jewish voters who view his words as inflammatory.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
The Big Story Deputy Health Secretary and acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill called for vaccine makers to separate the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three separate shots, alarming the scientific community.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming
Adjective
-
Humans could suddenly step into a box, perhaps hear gears grind, and then exit the box on a different floor—and even as safety features were innovated, that was terrifying.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Madigan's character, the elderly aunt of several of the students, became a cult favorite, both terrifying and delighting audiences.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Videos showing the physical abuse of nonverbal children on a Littleton Public Schools bus are disturbing and difficult to watch.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Over the next six months, disturbing details about the abuse Kevin’s youngest children endured at the hands of their mother and Hildebrandt emerged.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The only thing scarier to horror fans might just be Amy Madigan losing for Weapons.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Families will love Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in the Isle of Berk, a not-too-scary coaster that still delivers thrills.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
In Tokyo, travelers can explore the bustling neighborhoods of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, admire cutting-edge architecture, stroll through peaceful Japanese gardens, and experience vibrant nightlife without worrying about personal safety.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Devices stay online without worrying about draining the car’s starter battery.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As the day wears on, the crowd swells to a formidable throng.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
If host Point Loma was going to stay unbeaten and advance to the Division 1 quarterfinal with a win over Mater Dei Catholic on Friday night, Pointers head coach Ryan Price was sure his formidable defense would have a major hand in it.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.—
Outside,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share