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
In one instance, the American Medical Association found that an AI tool used by an EHR vendor to provide early warnings of sepsis infections often missed diagnosing cases or issued false alarms.
—
Trenor Williams, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Like the other five district students arrested, the 11-year-old girl faces felony charges involving making false alarms, terrorist threats and lying to investigators.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Sep. 2024
They were all charged with inducing panic and making false alarms.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2024
If a loss of pulse is detected, the watch will also go through a series of escalations — like kicking on more accurate infrared LEDs and looking for motion data — to minimize false alarms.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for false alarm 
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Trenor Williams, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Like the other five district students arrested, the 11-year-old girl faces felony charges involving making false alarms, terrorist threats and lying to investigators.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Sep. 2024
They were all charged with inducing panic and making false alarms.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2024
If a loss of pulse is detected, the watch will also go through a series of escalations — like kicking on more accurate infrared LEDs and looking for motion data — to minimize false alarms.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 13 Aug. 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 20 Jan. 2025.
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