alarming

[ə.ˈlɑːm.ɪŋ]

[ə.ˈlɑɹm.ɪŋ]

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An alarming situation is one that's very worrying or frightening.

When someone says "it's an alarming trend," they usually mean that something is happening more and more often, but it's not a good thing. For example, if there are lots of robberies in your neighborhood, the police might say it's an alarming rate of crime. It doesn't necessarily mean something is physically loud or noisy - we just use this word to describe things that make us feel uneasy or concerned for our safety.

How common is "alarming"?

Word alarming is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To call to arms for defense
To give (someone) notice of approaching danger
To rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert.
To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
To keep in excitement; to disturb.

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adjective

Causing apprehension, fear or alarm; frightening

Real examples of "alarming" in context

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Go Claws Out While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones

Entertainment

Also, the specificity there was a little alarming.

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