tocsin

noun

ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce tocsin (audio)
Definition of tocsinnext
1
as in signal
an object intended to give public notice or warning the tocsin rang out, warning us of the approaching tornado

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in warning
something that tells of approaching danger or risk noted that a sudden drop in a student's grades may be a tocsin of a serious personal problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 tocsin Singer Building housed a sewing-machine company, but its slender campanile might have served to ring tocsins or watch for approaching armies. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2023 The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Hudson Institute, and AEI have all been sounding the tocsin about Iran for decades. — Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tocsin
  1. signal
  2. warning
Noun
  • With resurgent inflation and traders weighing the Fed's next move, any signal on the rate path could ripple through the equities, bond and currency markets.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • When the device rotates, the frequencies of these signals shift slightly relative to each other.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • Crash reported on northbound I-635 A traffic warning has been issued after a crash on I-635 from Shawnee Drive/Exit 1 to Metropolitan Avenue/Exit 2.
    — Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The warning is for Northern Jackson and Southern Jackson as well as Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe, Graham and Macon counties.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of warning

Browse Nearby Words

to come
tocsin
tocsins
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Cite this Entry

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

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