alarm 1 of 2

variants also alarum
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2
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alarm

2 of 2

verb

variants also alarum
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2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word alarm distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of alarm are dread, fear, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When is dread a more appropriate choice than alarm?

The words dread and alarm can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of alarm?

While the synonyms fear and alarm are close in meaning, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When might fright be a better fit than alarm?

The synonyms fright and alarm are sometimes interchangeable, but fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

Where would panic be a reasonable alternative to alarm?

In some situations, the words panic and alarm are roughly equivalent. However, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When would terror be a good substitute for alarm?

The meanings of terror and alarm largely overlap; however, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of alarm?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of alarm
Noun
Users have also complained about alarm issues on iPhones. Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025 Simply pull the pin, and the alarm will emit a blaring siren with a flashing strobe light that will stop once the pin is re-inserted. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
On Where International Students Choose To Study Education organizations are alarmed by the Trump administration’s actions and are concerned about their impact on international students’ decisions on where to attend school. Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 The show's creators insist the narrative is fictional—but heavily inspired by alarming real-life trends. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm
Noun
  • Understandably, the team felt a degree of apprehension due to the focus on acquiring new clients in an unfamiliar market, which marked a departure from our traditional operations.
    Lori Huss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Shalamar Samuels Shalamar Samuel’s decision to cut her hair was a mix of excitement and apprehension.
    Celeste Polanco, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • After Trump's announcement on Wednesday, some Wall Street firms voiced warnings about a possible recession.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Margaret Atwood’s dystopian allegorical novel didn’t over-explain the U.S.’ descent into fascist theocracy and thus left itself open to interpretation — so open that even American conservatives were able to claim it as a warning about Muslim fundamentalism.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The spread of antivaccine misinformation in the previous year had caused fear and uncertainty, which kept many families from vaccinating their children against measles.
    Dr. Josh Green, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
  • By the end of the month, the new moon in Taurus invites you to embrace more intimacy and transformation in your love life, even if that means facing your fears in the process.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As part of their efforts, the duo are trained to simply scare the animals off and run five to seven miles daily, rain or shine.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Ant scare Anthony Edwards finished with a team-high 28 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting from the field.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The lack of progress on an imminent peace deal will worry Trump but could spur a round of tariffs and other sanctions.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Throughout the night, Booker read letters from constituents worried about losing access to affordable health care, emphasizing that these concerns were not abstract but deeply personal for millions of people.
    Nik Popli, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a major concern for media as advertisers review budgets.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Now, in the case of the United States, there’s no concern whatsoever with what anybody thinks on the outside.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For the most part, yes, although children ages 8 and younger might be frightened by some of the action sequences.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Despite these protections on paper, permanent residents and visa-holders have been frightened by the speed and ferocity of the Trump administration’s crackdown and its bulldozing of due process rights, said Neil A. Weinrib, an immigration attorney for more than four decades.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the situation is dismaying corporate America, investors and pretty much anyone who owns stocks.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Ukraine and its European allies were dismayed when they weren't included in U.S. and Russian negotiations an end to the conflict.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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