alarmism

1 of 3

noun (1)

alarm·​ism ə-ˈlär-ˌmi-zəm How to pronounce alarmism (audio)
: the often unwarranted exciting of fears or warning of danger
alarmist
ə-ˈlär-mist How to pronounce alarmism (audio)
noun or adjective

alarmist

2 of 3

noun (2)

alarm·​ist ə-ˈlär-mist How to pronounce alarmist (audio)
plural -s
: one inclined to raise or excite alarms especially needlessly

alarmist

3 of 3

adjective

alarm·​ist ə-ˈlär-mist How to pronounce alarmist (audio)
: spreading unnecessary fear about something that is not truly dangerous : needlessly raising or exciting alarms
I have to admit that when I first saw the television commercial for Guard Dog …, it seemed a little alarmist to me. The commercial makes it sound as if anyone without this program is leaving the door wide open to a privacy breach.—Kim Komando, Popular Mechanics, March 1999
trying to warn people without being alarmist

Examples of alarmism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This is not the language of alarmism, but a statement of fact. — Paulo Ilich Bacca, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 Small sample alarmism or real issues? — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 This facility is one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2025 Practical stewardship, not climate alarmism, is the right path. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for alarmism

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

alarm entry 1 + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1842, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1792, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alarmism was in 1792

Browse Nearby Words

alarmingly
alarmism
alarmist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alarmism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarmism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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