alarming

[ uh-lahr-ming ]

adjective

1. causing alarm or fear:

   an alarming case of pneumonia; an alarming lack of respect.

Other Word Forms

• a·larming·ly adverb
• una·larming adjective
• una·larming·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of alarming¹

First recorded in 1670–80; alarm + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The sight of parched, desert-like terrain in the world's largest rainforest underscores the alarming scale of the drought.

From BBC

They have lost 11 games in all competitions, while their performance in both legs against Arsenal were alarming.

From BBC

Most alarming, however, may be the appeasement politics of university administrations — most notably at Columbia, where officials agreed to a series of draconian anti-student policies after Trump threatened $400 million in federal funding.

From Salon

Dr Lindsey Edwards, a senior lecturer in microbiology at King's College London, said the new study "marks a significant and alarming increase compared to previous data".

From BBC

Last Thursday, the UN human rights chief said the situation in the West Bank was "extremely alarming".

From BBC

Related Words

• dangerous
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• frightening
• startling