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.

Chief Justice John Roberts warned in his annual report a year ago about an alarming rise in attacks on judges.

From The Wall Street Journal

The union called the incidents "alarming" and called for the release of 23 media workers who remain in detention in the country.

From BBC

Modella said tough trading conditions and "alarming" low Christmas trading left both in a "vulnerable" position.

From BBC

Big hospital systems have become the proving ground for widespread AI adoption, testing what the technology can do, but also revealing—sometimes via alarming mishaps—where it falls flat.

From The Wall Street Journal

I got a more alarming “bleep” during dumbbell thrusters: “Go deeper so your thighs are closer to parallel.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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