ALARMIST Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

alarmist

noun

Definition of alarmist

as in extremist

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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.

Recent Examples of alarmist Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova said the results showed opportunities for improvement, but cautioned against alarmist interpretations. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 And sure, six to eight weeks of emergency supplies might sound a little alarmist — maybe borderline doomsday prep-y. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026 But these predictions were often shrugged off as hypothetical or alarmist and failed to stir public or government action. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 22 July 2026 An alarmist might worry about the possibility of an upcoming summer without baseball. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Even temporary sales slumps breed alarmist pronouncements; book parties in disfavored genres begin to feel like wakes, sending off one more spirit to the inevitable afterworld of the remainder shelf. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 The title struck some readers as alarmist. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 But the film received criticism in the aftermath of its release, with some naysayers accusing it of being alarmist or exaggerated. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 June 2026 Gaspar took the unusual step of naming the teachers publicly, a move that Sanchez’s supporters call alarmist. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alarmist

Noun

Outraged Jewish groups are now demanding organizers answer for bankrolling violent extremists.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The blueprint included the recruitment of mercenaries and exploiting the grievances of disaffected citizens, from religious fanatics and extremists to soccer fans.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of extremist

Noun

The attack comes as Colombia’s conservative government changes the nation’s security strategy and takes a more confrontational approach towards gangs and rebel groups.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
The blast comes amid President Abelardo de la Espriella’s tougher security strategy, which includes ending rebel talks and renewing operations against gangs and armed groups.

— Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Noun

The move followed the ousting in a wider government reshuffle last week of tech-savvy reformist Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which brought out into the open the deep divisions in the Ukrainian defense leadership.

— Reuters, NBC news, 22 July 2026
Pezeshkian, a reformist within Iran’s theocracy, is the highest-ranking official within Iran to reference the release of the funds held by Qatar.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of reformist

Noun

Khalilzad on Friday wrote on X that there had been reports of Pakistan arming Afghans to fight the Taliban inside Afghanistan and of the Pakistani military recruiting Afghans to fight anti-Pakistan insurgents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
President Emmanuel Macron has been the primary target of scorn following nationwide riots that overtook Paris and other cities, but the insurgent National Rally does not want to let mainstream conservatives off the hook.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of insurgent

Noun

And now the apostles of effective altruism, with their concern for protecting as many people as possible, are in Thiel’s sights.

— David Gibson, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
Despite the church’s efforts, male Catholic bishops whose identities have not been publicly revealed later ordained two of the women as bishops with the aim of preserving the line of succession from Jesus’ apostles to present-day bishops.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of apostle

Noun

Some proponents of tighter regulation will accept incremental progress, while others push for more sweeping change.

— Barbara A. Trish, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Jackson, a proponent of Medicare for All, wrote Maine’s law creating the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and establishing pathways to importing cheaper drugs from Canada.

— Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of proponent

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“Alarmist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alarmist. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of alarmist

noun

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