alarm 1 of 2

variants also alarum
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2
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alarm

2 of 2

verb

variants also alarum
1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alarm distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of alarm are dread, fear, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When is dread a more appropriate choice than alarm?

The words dread and alarm can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of alarm?

While the synonyms fear and alarm are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When might fright be a better fit than alarm?

The synonyms fright and alarm are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

Where would panic be a reasonable alternative to alarm?

In some situations, the words panic and alarm are roughly equivalent. However, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When would terror be a good substitute for alarm?

The meanings of terror and alarm largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of alarm?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

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 alarm
Noun
That daily newspaper delivery is an old fashioned non-electric alarm to the delivery driver that all is well at this house. Paul Keane, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025 Say goodbye to jarring alarms with the sunrise clock feature, which uses light to wake you up gradually in support of your natural circadian rhythm. Averi Baudler, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
People should not be alarmed as the fires are carefully monitored. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2025 Reports that Paramount Global is considering a financial settlement on the Trump federal lawsuit have alarmed journalists within CBS News and beyond. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm
Noun
  • Police said they were assisted in the apprehension by the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force and the Connecticut State Police BSI East Joint Task Force.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But despite the apprehensions, other leaders avoid the language of superintelligence and existential risk, focusing instead on the positive upside.
    Tharin Pillay, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Heeding several tornado warnings from the National Weather Service that pinged on their cell phones just after 8:30 a.m., the unnamed couple quickly sought shelter in a safe room in a corner of their home, county officials said.
    Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Flood advisory: Be aware: A flood advisory is released when flooding is not expected to reach a severity level necessitating a warning.
    Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The bond market in recent weeks has increasingly priced in fears of slowing growth, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield falling to around 4.1%, down from about 4.8% in January.
    Sarah Min,Lisa Kailai Han,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The bottom line: Before the latest wave of volatility and emergence of recession fears, America's most important corporate decision-makers were becoming more wary of the growth outlook.
    Neil Irwin, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Higher prices and looming economic uncertainty could scare off consumers, experts previously told ABC News.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Mozer yelled out of his apartment window, scaring Moseley off.
    Jessica Sager, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The young centre barely had time to worry about making a first impression on his new team: The Senators hosted the Rangers at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
    Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Twenty-two percent worry about the potentially dangerous consequences of messing up, such as plumbing leaks or electrical problems.
    Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The pullbacks in nonessential areas like restaurants and airline travel signals consumers might be turning their concerns about the economy into tighter budgets.
    Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Ofcom did not respond to Ars' request to comment on whether Ofcom currently has concerns about X or any other big platforms' compliance, only re-sharing information from the press release regarding top priorities as enforcement begins.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Seeing those kinds of numbers in headlines may have started to frighten U.S. consumers, data shows.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025
  • While full autonomy may frighten many, most drivers do still want automakers to focus on safety tech.
    John Koetsier, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Editors’ Picks Your Questions About Fentanyl, Answered Some federal officials who oversee grants said they were particularly dismayed by a question asking grantees to disavow associations with communist entities.
    Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • While some enjoyed the New Orleans vibe, others were dismayed that a basketball player could garner so much hype with their track.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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