alarming

American  

[uh-lahr-ming] / əˈlɑr mɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing alarm or fear.

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

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Other Word Forms

• alarmingly adverb
• unalarming adjective
• unalarmingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of alarming

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

Example Sentences

The elder Kwok became the first person to be convicted of this type of offence earlier this month in a case rights groups called an "alarming act of collective punishment".

From Barron's

The conflict revealed alarming gaps in U.S. interceptor supplies.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said: "I think it is a very alarming sign of how youth are being increasingly drawn to some of these extremist networks."

From BBC

“While we understand that parents naturally have questions when they see alarming claims, these claims are completely false,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

For all their continued passion about the mission in their own backyard, the McCoys fret about the bigger picture — the alarming increase in greenhouse gases and the biodiversity decline.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dangerous
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• frightening
• startling