false alarm
noun
1
: an alarm (such as a fire or burglar alarm) that is set off needlessly
2
: something causing alarm or excitement that proves to be unfounded
Examples of false alarm in a Sentence
A false alarm drew firefighters to the school.
The report that the factory would be closing was a false alarm.
He thought he might be having a heart attack, but his chest pains were just a false alarm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Under Texas law, students who make threats against schools can be charged with false alarm and terroristic threat.
—
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Sep. 2024
These are observations of an organization that hasn't done anything meaningful in years, and this year was yet another false alarm when the optimism talk got going.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
This bizarre-looking craft that more than once caused a false alarm about a ship sinking became an extremely valuable floating laboratory from its commissioning in 1962 until it was decommissioned in 2023.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy reported two discharges of untreated sewage and one false alarm, one on May 25, 2011, and the other, triggered by a massive downpour, on June 26, 2021, according to Hugh McDiarmid Jr., communications director.
—Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for false alarm 
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Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Sep. 2024
These are observations of an organization that hasn't done anything meaningful in years, and this year was yet another false alarm when the optimism talk got going.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
This bizarre-looking craft that more than once caused a false alarm about a ship sinking became an extremely valuable floating laboratory from its commissioning in 1962 until it was decommissioned in 2023.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy reported two discharges of untreated sewage and one false alarm, one on May 25, 2011, and the other, triggered by a massive downpour, on June 26, 2021, according to Hugh McDiarmid Jr., communications director.
—Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for false alarm
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Cite this Entry
“False alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20alarm. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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