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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Dark Blue O’Donnell is sounding the alarm on dark blue.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarm
Noun
An alarm bell can also be heard in the marker of the temporary-help industry, which fell by 9,800 in August.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Dark Blue O’Donnell is sounding the alarm on dark blue.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
China's nuclear arsenal has especially alarmed Washington and its allies.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm
Noun
-
Nuclear vs renewables One obstacle to faster licensing is public apprehension about living near nuclear facilities, no matter how small.—
Anna Heim,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
-
To the 73 million Americans whose financial lives depend on the viability of Social Security, those first months were a seesaw of apprehension and rumor.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Graphic videos of both atrocities spread quickly and widely online this week, appearing in people's social media feeds, often with little-to-no warning.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Qatar also boasts one of the most advanced early warning radar systems in the region, coupled with Patriot air defense missile system.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.—
Steve Sedgwick,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The progressive fear that the Abundance movement wants to take over the Democratic Party isn’t baseless at all — its adherents have plenty of influence in it now.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, at the same time, automation scares people.—
Arthur Azizov,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Parents, scared by the specter of brain damage, are reluctant to let their kids play tackle football.—
Seth Wickersham,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Not knowing much about the condition, Mares-Sedillo worried that her face would be permanently altered.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The condition's most severe symptoms are sensitivities to spices, salt, and sweets, which means there's no reason to worry about a geographic tongue diagnosis.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And Danielson noted that the team now has plenty of time to practice and give attention to areas of concern.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
-
At the same time, concern is growing about how certain food additives and preservatives may disrupt the gut’s delicate balance.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Readers and subscribers immediately expressed outrage and dismay at the firings, one person familiar with the complaints told Semafor.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Residents were dismayed by drama unfolding at city hall and antsy for change.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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