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
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Recent Examples of alarming
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
About a decade ago, however, the city of New Orleans began experiencing accidents involving eighteen-wheelers with a frequency that was anomalous—and alarming.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
China’s increasingly advanced military capabilities are alarming the West and reshaping the global balance of naval power, analysts said.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Adjective
The next day, her condition became more alarming.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
About a decade ago, however, the city of New Orleans began experiencing accidents involving eighteen-wheelers with a frequency that was anomalous—and alarming.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
China’s increasingly advanced military capabilities are alarming the West and reshaping the global balance of naval power, analysts said.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming
Adjective
-
Some of his acts are dangerous or terrifying.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
In 1972, Ann-Margret fell 22 feet from a stage during a performance — a terrifying moment that could have ended her career.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Little green men are disturbing Kacey Musgraves’ golden hour.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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The host of a popular paranormal podcast begins to be haunted by disturbing recordings sent to her anonymously.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Preparations Nighttime severe weather can be understandably scary.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The two freshman goalies were terrific, with Hicks recovering from a scary collision with Malcom Spence early in the third.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
-
But manufacturers are also worrying about survival.—
Mayu Saini,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
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For nine days, a young wolf named Neukgu had all of South Korea watching, worrying and hoping.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Housed in a building with a dimpled façade that many say looks like a cheese grater, the Broad houses the collection of Edythe Broad, who accumulated a formidable cache of contemporary art with her late husband Eli.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
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Homages to Chile’s formidable troika are among the record 10 the festival has planned for this edition, said festival director Estrella Araiza.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And with it almost out in the world, that’s scaring him a little bit.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
-
During the first phase, last spring, before DHS got the infusion of new money, Noem led a shock-and-awe campaign aimed mostly at scaring people into leaving.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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