alarming

adjective

alarm·​ing ə-ˈlär-miŋ How to pronounce alarming (audio)
Synonyms of alarmingnext
: causing people to feel danger or alarm or to be worried or frightened
alarming news
The statistics revealed an alarming increase in childhood obesity.
alarmingly
ə-ˈlär-miŋ-lē
adverb
an alarmingly high rate of infection

Synonyms of alarming

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Examples of alarming in a Sentence

an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Emerging studies on leading AI models that have been specially trained by scholars to act as virtual Commanders-in-Chief, armed with massive arsenals of atomic arms, have been alarming. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 But a trip to New York City sent Riley back into a tailspin, an alarming and frustrating three games at the plate for the 31-year-old. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 31 July 2026 The United Nations has issued a warning about an alarming surge in women and girls being raped in Haiti, many of them homeless after being forced out of their homes and neighborhoods by armed gangs. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 There was some sloppiness from the offense with pre-snap penalties, but that’s not too alarming in July. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alarming

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of alarm entry 2

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alarming was in 1658

Rhymes for alarming

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Browse Nearby Words

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alarming
alarmingly
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Cite this Entry

“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarming. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on alarming

Nglish: Translation of alarming for Spanish Speakers

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