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
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Parts of Antarctica have been seeing alarming changes for a while.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 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
This abuse of power was obvious and alarming.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Parts of Antarctica have been seeing alarming changes for a while.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 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
-
For most people, the idea of ceding control to a robot is out there at best; downright terrifying at worst.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
One of those terrifying moments happened on a public stairwell.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
9 May 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
-
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
-
In too many corporations, AI strategy is delegated to a chief AI officer or an innovation lab, organizational constructs designed to signal progress without disturbing the existing power structure.—
Drew Cukor,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
Avoid disturbing the nest or getting too close afterwards.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Similar to human drivers, Zoox's AI and safety systems aren't infallible, but the test ride vehicle didn't exhibit any odd behaviors that seemed problematic or scary for occupants.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Taking a driverless robotaxi to the airport still feels a bit scary for many people.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The economy is struggling, people are frustrated about internet disruptions and frequent Ukrainian attacks against targets deep inside the country are worrying some people.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.—
Allen G. Breed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rossellini plays the formidable Madame de Noailles, an old-school aristocrat devoted to Marie Antoinette and haunted by a lost love.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
Vegas will remain formidable because of its eternal win-now mandate.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Plus, nobody will careen past you at 110 mph, scaring you spitless.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This isn’t a film about trauma, or smuggled-in social issues, or anything at all, really, besides the honest workaday business of scaring the bejesus out of its audience, rinsing, and repeating with extra vigor.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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