variants
also alarum
1
as in apprehension
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
observed with alarm the man staggering toward the edge of the cliff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in warning
the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk
in a daring midnight ride Paul Revere gave the alarm that British troops were approaching
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
filled with alarm when the flood waters reached their front steps
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also alarum
1
as in to scare
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 to worry
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
alarmed at the skyrocketing cost of home heating fuel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of alarm
Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 July 2025
The success of this policy will be entirely contingent upon the execution, but there is nothing in the order that ought to raise alarm.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 July 2025
Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 2 July 2025
Don’t be alarmed when the vinegar reacts with the baking soda.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarm
Noun
The model pointed to the Ghanaian coast as a huge global hotspot for mycorrhizal biodiversity—sounding an alarm about the area’s rapidly eroding coastline, which is crumbling at a rate of roughly two meters per year.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 July 2025
The success of this policy will be entirely contingent upon the execution, but there is nothing in the order that ought to raise alarm.
—The Editors, National Review, 25 July 2025
Verb
The New York state assemblyman has offered campaign promises of free child care and free bus transportation, which have alarmed politicians on the other side.
—Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 2 July 2025
Don’t be alarmed when the vinegar reacts with the baking soda.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm
Noun
-
What began with her apprehension about how the kitten would adapt quickly turned into a delightful surprise.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Lawrence Police Department's pursuit policy Indiana's statewide police pursuit policy adopted in 2022 states officers should use their discretion when initiating a pursuit and should not pursue if the risk to public safety greatly outweighs the need for immediate apprehension.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Parts of Northern Kentucky are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:30 p.m. as well.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
21 July 2025
-
But debate rages over the ideal, and safe, extent of integrating AI into other nuclear functions such as early warning, targeting, and communications.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Concerns of fear growing in migrant communities Mora said this issue runs deep for him and others who work in immigration law.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
23 July 2025
-
Claims included being penalized for taking medical leave, instances of racial microaggressions and fear of retribution for raising complaints.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
There’s a thread of carbolic soap, though not enough to scare away those even moderately familiar with smoky Islay Scotch.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
Officials used horns, sirens and lights to scare the dogs away from Culbertson, according to KC Pet Project documents obtained by The Star.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Still, some experts worry about using federal aid to fund such programs.—
Natalie Yahr,
jsonline.com,
19 July 2025
-
Buying back-to-school supplies can be challenging for families, so organizations and companies across Phoenix are hosting backpack and school supply giveaways to ensure that no student has to worry about being ready for the school year.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
Of the eight which were understood at the time to be complaints or concerns: four were raised to both the production company and the BBC, two were raised only with the production company and two were raised only with the BBC.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
-
In seconds, content appears without shipping or physical storage concerns.—
Vikrant Shaurya,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
-
What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist, Jonathan Porter, was dismayed to hear news later that all the children attending youth camps in Kerr County had not been ushered to higher ground despite those warnings.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
11 July 2025
-
The city’s business, good government and political leadership, especially those dismayed by the results of the mayoral primary, must unite in support of the inclusion of the nonpartisan elections proposal.—
Christian Browne,
New York Daily News,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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