alarm 1 of 2

variants also alarum
1
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
Rights groups are sounding the alarm, saying it’s become a standard procedure increasingly used in the war. Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025 Rights groups are ringing the alarm, saying it’s become standard procedure increasingly used in the war. Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
Verb
Brunettes, blonds, mustached, clean-shaven, my patio-bar dates don’t seem to get it, and their answers have alarmed me — their apathy almost as alarming as outright hate. Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025 With a new single racking up millions of streams, Kanye West is continuing to spread alarming antisemitic rhetoric. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for alarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm
Noun
  • Cuban Americans in south Florida have long clamored for a firmer hand with Havana, and the recent apprehensions of Hernández and several other former Cuban officials for deportation have been extremely popular among the politically powerful exile community.
    Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
  • Other polls from the same period showed similar apprehensions.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • The orders were later reduced to warnings, and the last of the warnings was lifted about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Such a low number spurred fears the ongoing trade war may finally be starting to affect the economy’s hard data.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 June 2025
  • Exploiting this vulnerability, 764 members tend to elicit fear by threatening to share a victim’s explicit or harmful content with family and friends or publicly online, ultimately forcing them to comply with their demands.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.
    Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
  • Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.
    Tovia Smith, NPR, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • These trends are causing 67% of the workforce to worry about the economy’s impact on their current jobs, according to the Workforce Pulse Survey from Remote.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Market volatility has enraged Democrats and worried many Republicans as the country experiences whiplash from tariff announcements, leaving many people worried about their finances.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Many of his followers are schoolboys — something that has sparked concern among educators worldwide.
    Willem Marx, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • While the insurance industry is not opposed to a study, the way this legislation is structured raises serious concerns.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
  • What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The brawls were yet another chapter of dismaying fan behavior during San Diego’s inaugural season, which has been a big success on the field.
    Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • Christiansen said he’s dismayed by the changing landscape of college athletics with the transfer portal and NIL (name, image and likeness) money, and every coach agonizes on how to spread 11.7 scholarships over a 35-man roster.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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