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
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
Someone else pointed out that such thinking sounds similar to the false alarm surrounding Joker, when a few prophets of doom decided the comic-book movie was sure to spark angry men’s-rights rallies.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2024
Similar to the higher-end model from the brand, this camera was able to differentiate between people and other sources of movement, resulting in very few false alarms.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for false alarm 
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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
Someone else pointed out that such thinking sounds similar to the false alarm surrounding Joker, when a few prophets of doom decided the comic-book movie was sure to spark angry men’s-rights rallies.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2024
Similar to the higher-end model from the brand, this camera was able to differentiate between people and other sources of movement, resulting in very few false alarms.
—Camryn Rabideau, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for false alarm
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Dictionary Entries Near false alarm
Cite this Entry
“False alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20alarm. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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