tocsin

noun

ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce tocsin (audio)
Definition of tocsinnext
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

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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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tocsin
  1. signal
  2. warning
Noun
  • Such systems could one day monitor signals such as heart or muscle activity while providing an additional layer of protection against bacterial growth.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Rapt throngs were materializing out of nowhere, summoned by signals that had circled the planet.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • The attorney noted that immediately after the midterm elections last week, lawmakers such as Garcia accompanied their warnings of upcoming investigations with Instagram posts that received media attention and thousands of reshares.
    — Pranshu Verma The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Pilots can reduce the risk by checking GPS reception and compass warnings before takeoff, selecting an appropriate RTH altitude and ensuring the home point has been recorded correctly.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of warning

Browse Nearby Words

to come
tocsin
tocsins
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Cite this Entry

“Tocsin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tocsin. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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