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 worrying
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
alarmed at the skyrocketing cost of home heating fuel
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alarming
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Even more alarming, one in four Medicaid requests—the very safety net program for children, the elderly, and those living in poverty—go unanswered.
—Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Aaron Glenn has a defensive background, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2021 to 2024, so the Jets' defensive struggles have been alarming so far.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Adjective
Along with alleged abuse by guards, the documentary exposes alarming living conditions for prisoners who are stacked in barracks like cord wood.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Even more alarming, one in four Medicaid requests—the very safety net program for children, the elderly, and those living in poverty—go unanswered.
—Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bond yields leaking higher since the Fed cut rates a quarter-point on Wednesday is not atypical, and — so far — is not alarming equity markets, inflation watchdogs or fiscal hawks.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Aaron Glenn has a defensive background, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2021 to 2024, so the Jets' defensive struggles have been alarming so far.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming
Adjective
-
The device sounded terrifying – an apparently new, nuclear capable IRBM, fired with multiple conventional warheads, that the Kremlin boasted could rip through European defenses.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
He’s supposed to be a terrifying mirror to our discontent.—
Emily Temple
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Thankfully, with the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni, worrying about cleaning up has become a thing of the past.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
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Hurricanes far out into the ocean give forecasters the opportunity to observe the powerful heat machines without worrying about catastrophic landfalls.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While some corn mazes are perfect for all ages and include activities especially for younger kids, others are more grown-up and may prove too scary or challenging for little ones.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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The new generation can’t afford to stay in the game, which is scary.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The modus operandi generally involved either scaring a convenience store owner and fleeing with thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes, like one such incident at a 7-Eleven in Walnut Creek where masked men stole $8,000 in tobacco products, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
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During today’s announcement, Kennedy at least acknowledged the trade-offs inherent in scaring pregnant Americans off Tylenol, and allowed that, sometimes, using it is unavoidable.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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If the past offers any guide, however, Havana will instead continue to rely on its formidable security apparatus to repress is citizens, while privatizing in ways that do not threaten the power and privileges of the elite.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
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The West will be formidable, as multiple teams could make their mark this season.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Miami could choose to move on from the star receiver due to the horrible season-ending injury.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Many of the game’s best teams spent the regular season alternating between brilliant and horrible.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The idea of Maggie’s untrustworthiness has already been planted in an early scene, mid-party, involving a bathroom cabinet and a hidden envelope conveniently filled with old news clippings concerning dark secrets in Alma’s past.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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Some exceptions are expected to be included in the rule concerning avoiding conflict with appraisal requirements or other state laws,, including if the award was made without authority, is not compliant with the appraisal provision, or if fraud, accident, or a material mistake was involved.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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