alarm

²alarm

verb

Definition of ALARM

transitive verb

1

: to strike with fear

2

: disturb, excite

3

: to give warning to

4

: to equip with an alarm

— alarm·ing·ly \-ˈlär-miŋ-lē\ adverb

Variants of ALARM

alarm also alarum

Examples of ALARM

1. I didn't mean to alarm you.
2. The rapid spread of the disease has alarmed many people.

First Known Use of ALARM

1586

Related to ALARM

Synonyms: affright, frighten (also alarum), fright, horrify, panic, scare, scarify, shock, spook, startle, terrify, terrorize

Antonyms: reassure

Related Words: appall (also appal), bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up; amaze, astound, awe; chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring; discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry

Near Antonyms: assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe; embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel

see all synonyms and antonyms

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