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Definitions

alarm

[uh-lahrm] / əˈlɑrm /
NOUN
feeling of sudden fear
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anxiety apprehension consternation dismay dread horror nervousness panic scare tension terror trepidation unease uneasiness
STRONG
distress fright strain stress
WEAK
cold feet
Antonyms
STRONGEST
assurance calm calmness collectedness composure confidence contentment ease encouragement happiness peace tranquility
STRONG
health
WEAK
quietness repose security
NOUN
warning, signaling device
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alert buzzer caution cry signal warning whistle
STRONG
Mayday SOS bell blast call clock drum flap flash forewarning gong horn nod scramble scream shout sign siren squeal tip tocsin trumpet wink yell
WEAK
high sign tip off
Antonyms
WEAK
assurance calmness composure confidence peace quietness repose security
VERB
upset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amaze astonish daunt dismay frighten scare startle surprise terrify unnerve
STRONG
chill distress panic spook
WEAK
give a turn make jump scare silly scare stiff scare to death
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm comfort encourage expect
WEAK
assure gladden reassure repose soothe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The son of Marie-Thérèse, from the city of Nantes, sounded the alarm after his mother was arrested in Anniston, Alabama, earlier in April.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Anthropic postponing the release of its new AI model Claude Mythos, said to be so skilled at coding it could be a wicked weapon for hackers, has encountered a mix of alarm and skepticism.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“Arizona is just the alarm bell,” said Joseph Palomino, executive director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, a nonpartisan advocacy organization.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

If Rosenior loses this tie too, then the alarm bells would really be ringing at Stamford Bridge.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Never in the history of Sir Fig Newton had he ever—and I mean never, ever—slept past his usual 5:40-ish head bump breakfast alarm.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing alarm

Words inspired by "Inside Out"

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Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 1

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