alarmism

American

[uh-lahrm-iz-uhm] / əˈlɑrmˌɪz əm /

noun

the tendency to raise alarms without sufficient reason or cause, such as by exaggerating danger or the likelihood of disaster.

Other Word Forms

alarmist noun

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.

The world-weary consumer of news might reasonably wonder if we’re headed into another version of climate alarmism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Even with the alarmism from Loomer, no protesters had come, not even outside.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2025

Despite its note of alarmism, the Economist article mentioned above asks that question in entirely reasonable terms.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2025

Despite accusations of alarmism, the messaging appeared to have a limited impact on the public, with few signs of panic-buying in Swedish supermarkets.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2024

Let us beware, however, of exaggeration or alarmism.

From The Quarterly Review, Volume 162, No. 324, April, 1886 by Various

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