alarm
Describing a state of being worried, frightened, or concerned that something dangerous or unpleasant is happening. It is typically used to characterize a person's reaction to sudden bad news or a potential threat.
Examples
3 of 5I was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.
I was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.
The government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.
The government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.
Don't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.
Don't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'alarm' clock going off unexpectedly; the feeling you have when you jump out of bed is being 'alarmed'.
Quick Quiz
The residents were ______ by the smell of smoke coming from the basement.
Correct!
The correct answer is: alarmed
Examples
I was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.
everydayI was alarmed to see how much weight he had lost since our last meeting.
The government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.
formalThe government is deeply alarmed by the recent increase in inflation rates.
Don't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.
informalDon't look so alarmed; it’s just a harmless spider.
Environmental scientists are increasingly alarmed at the rate of glacial retreat.
academicEnvironmental scientists are increasingly alarmed at the rate of glacial retreat.
Stakeholders were alarmed by the CEO's sudden decision to resign.
businessStakeholders were alarmed by the CEO's sudden decision to resign.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
sound the alarm
sound the alarm
false alarm
false alarm
alarm bells ringing
alarm bells ringing
Often Confused With
Alarming describes the cause (the news was alarming), while alarmed describes the person's feeling (I was alarmed by the news).
Alert means being watchful and ready to act, whereas alarmed focuses on the feeling of fear or worry.
Usage Notes
The adjective 'alarmed' is most commonly followed by the prepositions 'at' or 'by'. It can also be followed by a 'to-infinitive' or a 'that-clause'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the base noun 'alarm' when they should use the participial adjective 'alarmed' to describe a person's feelings.
Memory Tip
Think of an 'alarm' clock going off unexpectedly; the feeling you have when you jump out of bed is being 'alarmed'.
Word Origin
From the Old French phrase 'à l'arme', literally meaning 'to arms!' or 'to your weapons!'.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The residents were ______ by the smell of smoke coming from the basement.
Correct!
The correct answer is: alarmed
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free