alarmist

[ uh-lahr-mist ]

noun

1. a person who tends to raise alarms, especially without sufficient reason, as by exaggerating dangers or prophesying calamities.

adjective

1. of or like an alarmist.

alarmist

/ əˈlɑːmɪst /

noun

1. a person who alarms or attempts to alarm others needlessly or without due grounds
2. a person who is easily alarmed

adjective

1. characteristic of an alarmist

Derived Forms

• aˈlarmism, noun

Other Word Forms

• a·larmism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of alarmist¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; alarm + -ist

Example Sentences

Perhaps it’s alarmist to conflate the masculinity on display in “Warfare” and its promotional campaign with the rise in tradwife content.

From Salon

Mari Barke, a member of the Orange County Board of Education, said critics are being unnecessarily alarmist as it relates to school districts that serve students through high school.

From Los Angeles Times

But Trump’s critics and other experts reject those defenses as alarmist, inaccurate and unduly dismissive of such policies’ downsides.

From Los Angeles Times

“I shared data and personal stories of how climate change affects marginalized communities, but she called it ‘alarmist nonsense,’” Mapendembe said.

From Salon

Trump’s most alarmist opponents are wrong to insist that he would march into Washington in January 2025 like Hitler entering Paris.

From Salon

Related Words

• pessimist