alarming 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlär-miŋ How to pronounce alarming (audio)
Definition of alarmingnext
as in terrifying
causing fear an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alarming

2 of 2

verb

variants also alaruming
present participle of alarm
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

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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

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 alarming
Adjective
If some of the cost estimates in this story are alarming, remember that some projects can be done in stages. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2025 Richard Webby, an infectious disease expert at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., said the discovery of the mutation wasn’t alarming in and of itself. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025 Yesterday, a disturbing new report, the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds, finds that U.S. bird population is still declining at an alarming rate. — Grrlscientist, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Their stand-off during an open house triggers the pregnant real estate agent into premature labor, adding another alarming layer of dread to the survival premise. — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alarming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming
  1. terrifying
  2. worrying
  3. frightening
  4. scary
  5. formidable
  6. horrible
  7. upsetting
  8. terrible
Adjective
  • Despite the terrifying incidinet, only eight passengers were on board at the time, and no one sustained serious injuries.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • And yet somehow, this horror film about a family whose new home is haunted by a spirit never runs out of gas, managing to resonate as a powerful domestic drama and as a terrifying story about grief and love.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of terrifying
Verb
  • Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Bitcoin has dropping back from its all-time high of over $100,000 in the last week as BlackRock quietly confirmed a worrying bitcoin bombshell.
    — Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of worrying
Adjective
  • Granted that a 1 degree Celsius change in world average temperature can translate into a 4-degree Celsius increase in some of the most climate precarious countries, this last scenario is frightening.
    — Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • While studying a rare species whose mating call appears to be the frightening shrieks the team has been hearing in the woods, the pair hired Kodiak (McHale) as their guide.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • There’s a lot to love with Tuten and his ceiling is super high, but the floor is extremely scary because of his fumbles.
    — Steve Bradshaw, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • But any reduction of uncertainty can be helpful when so much of it has been sending the U.S. stock market on big, scary swings not just day to day but also hour to hour.
    — Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of scary
Adjective
  • In the vast plains of North America, a formidable predator once reigned supreme.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Connecticut’s offense is formidable, but its defense is suspect.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • This is really happening and these horrible things are happening and that this person doesn't want to be happening.
    — Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The tech giant had a horrible week, off nearly 11% in the period despite Friday’s relief bounce.
    — Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of horrible
Verb
  • Representative Mike Lawler of New York, who has hinted at ambitions for a governor bid in 2026, according to the New York Post, will need to walk a fine line between appeasing his party and not upsetting potential voters in his home state, which could put him at odds with Republicans.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
  • These weeds require control to prevent upsetting the entire turf ecosystem.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025
Definition of upsetting
Adjective
  • The boys now harbor a terrible secret of their own.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • But the point is, every team has a few terrible losses in the course of a season.
    — Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of terrible

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Cite this Entry

“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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