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
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.
Officials later deemed the threat to be a false alarm, the police report stated. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025 The incident was determined to be a false alarm, police said. Megan Forrester, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025 Earlier that year, a Kansas City fire truck collided with a car while responding to a false alarm in the Northland in June, leaving a 79-year-old woman with permanent disabilities and injuring four others. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2025 However, the end of schoolhouse restrictions on ICE activity and a false alarm incident at a Chicago elementary school has put community members on edge. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for false alarm

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of false alarm was in 1578

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Cite this Entry

“False alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20alarm. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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