Synonyms

alarming

American

[uh-lahr-ming] / əˈlɑr mɪŋ /

adjective

causing alarm or fear.

an alarming case of pneumonia; an alarming lack of respect.

Other Word Forms

alarmingly adverb
unalarming adjective
unalarmingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of alarming

First recorded in 1670–80; alarm + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ellis said there was a particularly alarming moment when he "couldn't comprehend" any of a university lecture after the crash.

From BBC

County jails so far this year, an alarming number for the Sheriff’s Department as it continues to face a lawsuit from the state over the conditions in local lockups.

From Los Angeles Times

Human Rights Watch called the verdict "cruel and vindictive", as well as an "alarming act of collective punishment".

From Barron's

But Ms. W.’s voice was deteriorating at an alarming speed, because now she could only speak in a hoarse whisper, and everybody had to stop with their “please”ing just to hear her.

From Literature

Still, Takaichi has a host of challenges, including helping households cope with rising prices and boosting the economy while not alarming investors about Japan's public finances.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023