1
as in signal
an object intended to give public notice or warning the tocsin rang out, warning us of the approaching tornado

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

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 tocsin Singer Building housed a sewing-machine company, but its slender campanile might have served to ring tocsins or watch for approaching armies. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2023 The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Hudson Institute, and AEI have all been sounding the tocsin about Iran for decades. Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tocsin
Noun
  • These micro-interactions are powerful signals of respect.
    London Business School, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Entrée was tantamount to a cosmic signal that one’s achievements — or notoriety — had resonated in the culture.
    Michael Grynbaum, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • In South Korea, an early end to monsoon season led to heat wave warnings issued across most of the country this week.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • The warning is in effect until 3 a.m. Actions to take when lightning threat is imminent Around 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States every year, with most taking place during the summer months.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tocsin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tocsin. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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