alarming

adjective

alarm·​ing ə-ˈlär-miŋ How to pronounce alarming (audio)
: causing people to feel danger or alarm or to be worried or frightened
alarming news
The statistics revealed an alarming increase in childhood obesity.
alarmingly
ə-ˈlär-miŋ-lē
adverb
an alarmingly high rate of infection

Examples of alarming in a Sentence

an alarming rise in her fever, causing the doctor to fear the worst
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.
Chafetz, of Georgetown University, said the lack of pushback from Republican members of Congress was especially alarming because the legislative branch is the one whose powers are most at risk in the latest power play. Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025 The spread of bird flu is particularly alarming as the virus continues to sweep through more poultry, ducks, and cattle herds. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2025 Kennedy's apparent inability to distinguish truth from myth is alarming, says Elizabeth Jacobs, emerita professor of epidemiology from the University of Arizona. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025 This includes 28 percent in Romania, 27 percent in Hungary, 24 percent in Poland, 21 percent in France, the U.S. and Austria, and 20 percent in the U.K., and, especially alarming, 18 percent in Germany. Greg Schneider and Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alarming 

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of alarm entry 2

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alarming was in 1658

Dictionary Entries Near alarming

Cite this Entry

“Alarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarming. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

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