Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing fear, anxiety, or concern: Describes something that makes people feel worried or frightened because it signals danger, trouble, or a serious problem.
   • Giving cause for alarm: Indicates a situation, event, or piece of information that is disturbing and warrants attention or caution.

Usage

The word "alarming" is used to describe things that provoke a sense of alarm or unease. It is often applied to trends, statistics, sounds, sights, or behaviors that are perceived as threatening or highly undesirable. - It typically precedes a noun (e.g., an alarming trend). - It can follow a linking verb like "be," "seem," or "become" (e.g., The news is alarming).

Examples

• Before a noun:
  • The report shows an alarming increase in global temperatures. (This describes an increase that causes great concern.)
  • We heard an alarming noise from the engine. (This describes a noise that suggests something is wrong and is frightening.)
• After a linking verb:
  • The speed of deforestation is truly alarming. (This states that the speed causes alarm.)
  • His sudden disappearance seemed alarming to everyone. (This states that the disappearance appeared to be a cause for worry.)

Advanced Usage

• "Find something alarming": To perceive or judge something as a cause for alarm.
  • Environmentalists find the pollution levels alarming. (Environmentalists perceive the pollution levels as very worrying.)
• "Alarmingly" (Adverb): Used to modify an adjective or verb to indicate that something is done in a way that causes alarm, or to a degree that is alarming.
  • The costs have risen alarmingly fast. (The speed of the cost increase is a cause for alarm.)

Variants and Related Words

• Alarm (noun/verb): The feeling of fear or the signal that warns of danger (noun); to frighten or warn someone (verb).
  • The fire alarm sounded. (Noun)
  • The news alarmed the residents. (Verb)
• Alarmed (adjective): Describing a person or group who is feeling fear or anxiety.
  • She was alarmed by the dark clouds. (She felt fear because of the clouds.)

Synonyms

• Frightening: Causing fear or terror.
• Disturbing: Causing anxiety or unease; upsetting.
• Ominous: Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen.
• Troubling: Causing distress or worry.

Antonyms

• Reassuring: Serving to relieve anxiety or restore confidence.
• Comforting: Providing consolation or a feeling of ease.
• Soothing: Having a calming, relaxing effect.

Related Phrases

• Sound the alarm: To warn people about a danger. (This phrase uses the related noun "alarm.")
  • Scientists are sounding the alarm about climate change. (Scientists are issuing strong warnings.)
• False alarm: A warning about a danger that does not happen.
  • The evacuation turned out to be a false alarm. (The feared danger did not materialize.)

Adjective

1. frightening because of an awareness of danger