Synonyms of tocsin

tocsin

noun

ˈtäk-sən 

1

as in signal

an object intended to give public notice or warning

the tocsin rang out, warning us of the approaching tornado

Synonyms & Similar Words

• signal
• flag
• red light
• knell

2

as in warning

something that tells of approaching danger or risk

noted that a sudden drop in a student's grades may be a tocsin of a serious personal problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• warning
• sign
• red light
• red flag
• handwriting on the wall
• signal
• tip-off
• wake-up call
• omen
• knell
• premonition
• indicator
• caution
• portent
• notification
• presage
• declaration
• buoy
• foretaste
• announcement
• notice
• foretoken

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• green light
• permission
• OK
• go-ahead
• all clear

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tocsin

Singer Building housed a sewing-machine company, but its slender campanile might have served to ring tocsins or watch for approaching armies. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2023

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Hudson Institute, and AEI have all been sounding the tocsin about Iran for decades. — Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!