alarming
Causing serious concern
Alarming describes something that causes worry or fear—a warning sign that something may be wrong or dangerous.
An alarming rate of decline suggests urgent concern.
Alarming news makes you sit up and take notice.
The word implies not just surprise but the sense that action may be needed: The patient's symptoms were alarming.
Causing mental unease
- troublingCausing unease or concern
- worryingAnxious mental preoccupation
- concerningCausing worry or unease
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
disconcerting · disquieting · frightening · shocking · startling · unnerving · dismaying · perturbing
Causing intense surprise
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
staggering · stunning · jarring · bombshell · revelation · astonishing · astounding · eye-opening
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- frightSudden intense fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- fearEmotional response to threat
terror · apprehension · trepidation · jolt · gasp · startle · flinch · shudder
Decisive dangerous moment
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- immediateHappening without delay
urgent · escalating · worsening · deteriorating · time-sensitive · imperative · acute · severe
Wailing alert device
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- beaconGuiding light source
- hornPointed animal headgear
- klaxonElectric warning horn
buzzer · warning · flare · strobe · tocsin · detector · annunciator · signal
Sharp rise or point
- surgeSudden powerful increase
- riseMove to higher position
- increaseGrowth in amount
- uptickSlight increase
escalation · spread · outbreak · epidemic · proliferation · growth · acceleration · mounting
disturbing
Causing mental unease
- troublingCausing unease or concern
- worryingAnxious mental preoccupation
- concerningCausing worry or unease
unsettling · disconcerting · disquieting · frightening · shocking · startling · unnerving · dismaying · perturbing · ominous
shocking
Causing intense surprise
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- abruptSharp and unexpected
unforeseen · staggering · stunning · jarring · bombshell · revelation · astonishing · astounding · eye-opening · dramatic
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
fear · terror · apprehension · trepidation · jolt · gasp · startle · flinch · shudder · recoil
crisis
Decisive dangerous moment
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
immediate · urgent · escalating · worsening · deteriorating · time-sensitive · imperative · acute · severe · desperate
siren
Wailing alert device
klaxon · buzzer · warning · flare · strobe · tocsin · detector · annunciator · signal · flash
spike
Sharp rise or point
uptick · escalation · spread · outbreak · epidemic · proliferation · growth · acceleration · mounting · snowballing
- emotional reactionsinspiring, moving, touching, heartwarming, chilling
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- menacingthreatening, intimidating, menacing, ominous, sinister
- urgencyurgent, urgently, emergency, ASAP, stat
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
alarmingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
comforting · calming · soothing · settling · relaxing
alarmingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
innocuous · harmless · unalarming · benign · unthreatening