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

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

After a false alarm six years ago, an expanding fast-food chain finally is on track to open its first restaurant in Boise proper. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025

Planetary candidates have come and gone around the star, with initially promising possibilities ultimately proving to be false alarms. —Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 2 Feb. 2025

These measures ensure robust performance in predicting severe weather, balancing timely warnings with minimal false alarms and enhancing public safety and emergency preparedness. —Mithun A. Sridharan, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for false alarm

• arm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• firearm
• underarm