ALARMING Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

alarming 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlär-miŋ

Definition of alarming

as in terrifying

causing fear an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alarming

2 of 2

verb

variants also alaruming

present participle of alarm

as in frightening

to strike with fear I don't want to alarm you, but I think you should know there's a bear on your back porch

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disturbing

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy alarmed at the skyrocketing cost of home heating fuel

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of alarming

Adjective

The kind of life admin tasks like swim lesson sign-ups and appointment confirmations that pile up with alarming frequency in a house of one preschool-age kid and two adults with full-time jobs. — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026 Those numbers are enough to be alarming, but the advanced numbers give even more context. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

But even for an opener, Nix’s sloppiness was un-Bo-lievable, his carelessness with the ball alarming, given the stage. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2026 The constant delay-of-game calls, false starts and inability to get lined up are a special level of alarming for a quarterback who entered the NFL 10 years ago. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alarming

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarming

Adjective

Fifty years ago, scientists pioneering a terrifying gene-splicing technology figured out a way to collectively hit pause.

— Nick Fountain, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Don’t worry, the breakdown starts in a hurry and Cardellini is terrifying, if perhaps not as sympathetic as the series requires long-term.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Verb

Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.

— Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026

Definition of frightening

Verb

Furthermore, the use of economic arguments to justify oppression has disturbing historical precedent.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Police Chief Paul Joseph said at a press conference on Tuesday that Lieu had a criminal history involving firearms and disturbing behavior.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Adjective

Desperate to get that handsome life back, Hagen undergoes an experimental procedure that initially works only to give way to a scary new reality with shape-shifting skin.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
When the company selling you the scary future publishes internal research saying the scary future has not shown up, that is a signal worth reading.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of scary

Adjective

But the expansion of Bioko's strategy presents formidable challenges, from porous international borders to the sheer scale of the territory.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Although a small number of peptide medicines are already available as pills, most candidates still face formidable barriers to oral delivery.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of formidable

Verb

Such actions are scaring people away from coming to court, whether as witnesses, defendants or observers, Bonta said, and amount to a blatant abuse of power.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The Longhorns aren't scaring anyone on offense and Sarkisian has come under fire for his play calling.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of scaring

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alarmed

alarming

alarmingly

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Style

“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarming. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of alarming

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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