alarming

/əˈlɑːm.ɪŋ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

Causing apprehension, fear or alarm; frightening.

Adjective

Examples

Another stop at the 731-yard Sharpthorne Tunnel allowed the apprentices to see how a combination of water and a "chemical soup" is destroying the rails at an alarming rate.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “alarming” mean?

Causing apprehension, fear or alarm; frightening.

Is “alarming” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.