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Alarming: meaning, definitions and examples

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alarming

 

[əˈlɑːmɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

news

Causing fear or worry; disturbing or shocking.

Synonyms

disturbing, shocking, worrying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
alarming

Used to describe something that causes sudden fear because it implies danger or serious problems.

  • The rapid increase in crime rates is alarming.
  • The doctor's news about the patient's condition was alarming.
disturbing

Appropriate when something causes a feeling of worry or unease, often related to something inappropriate or unexpected.

  • The documentary's graphic scenes were very disturbing.
  • Her disturbing behavior made everyone uncomfortable.
shocking

Best used when describing something extremely surprising in a negative or startling way.

  • The news of his sudden resignation was shocking.
  • The scandalous revelation was absolutely shocking.
worrying

Used to describe a situation or information that causes anxiety or concern, but not necessarily immediate fear.

  • His continuous absence from work is worrying.
  • The government's new policy changes are worrying.

Examples of usage

  • The alarming reports of increasing crime rates have raised concerns among the local community.
  • The alarming news of a possible terrorist attack spread quickly through social media.
Context #2 | Verb

action

Causing someone to feel frightened, disturbed, or in danger.

Synonyms

disturb, frighten, worry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
alarming

Used to describe something that causes sudden fear or worry because it seems dangerous or unexpected.

  • The rate of infection is alarming.
  • It’s alarming how quickly the fire spread.
frighten

Used to describe causing someone to feel afraid or scared. This word has a stronger connotation of fear.

  • The thunderstorm frightened the children.
  • His sudden outburst frightened everyone in the room.
disturb

Often used when something interrupts or causes worry, causing one to lose peace of mind or to be troubled.

  • The loud noise disturbed my sleep.
  • The news of the accident disturbed her greatly.
worry

Used when something creates anxiety or concern, often over potential problems or future events.

  • I always worry about my kids when they are traveling.
  • He began to worry after she didn’t call for days.

Examples of usage

  • The sudden loud noise alarmed the entire neighborhood.
  • Her sudden disappearance alarmed her family and friends.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'alarming' comes from the Middle French word 'alarmer', which means to sound a call for help.
  • It originally referred to the ringing of bells that warned people of danger.
  • In English, the term started being used in the 16th century to describe anything that raises fear or concern.

Psychology

  • Humans are naturally wired to respond to alarming situations due to the fight-or-flight response, a survival mechanism.
  • Research shows that alarming stimuli can influence decision-making and lead to heightened emotional responses.
  • Feeling alarmed can trigger the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones, preparing the body for action.

Pop Culture

  • Many horror movies use alarming sounds or scenes to create suspense and keep viewers on edge.
  • In video games, alarming alerts often indicate danger or challenges, enhancing the player's adrenaline rush.
  • The use of alarming themes in music can evoke strong emotions, influencing listeners' moods and responses.

Science

  • Research in environmental science highlights alarming rates of climate change, which prompt discussions about sustainability.
  • Public health studies often present alarming statistics to raise awareness about issues like pandemics or health crises.
  • Animals use alarming calls to alert their peers to predators, demonstrating a biological basis for conveying danger.

Literature

  • Classic literature often uses alarming events, such as sudden betrayals, to drive the plot and develop characters.
  • In poetry, alarming imagery can invoke feelings of dread or urgency, impacting the reader's emotional journey.
  • Alarming themes in dystopian novels serve to reflect societal fears and provoke thought about potential futures.

Translations

Translations of the word "alarming" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alarmante

🇮🇳 चौंकाने वाला

🇩🇪 alarmierend

🇮🇩 mengkhawatirkan

🇺🇦 тривожний

🇵🇱 alarmujący

🇯🇵 不安を感じる

🇫🇷 alarmant

🇪🇸 alarmante

🇹🇷 alarm verici

🇰🇷 놀라운

🇸🇦 مثير للقلق

🇨🇿 alarmující

🇸🇰 znepokojujúci

🇨🇳 令人担忧的

🇸🇮 zaskrbljujoč

🇮🇸 áhyggjuefni

🇰🇿 алаңдататын

🇬🇪 შემაშფოთებელი

🇦🇿 narahatlıq doğuran

🇲🇽 alarmante

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,667 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.