alarmism

American

[uh-lahrm-iz-uhm] / əˈlɑrmˌɪz əm /

noun

the tendency to raise alarms without sufficient reason or cause, such as by exaggerating danger or the likelihood of disaster.

Other Word Forms

alarmist noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The world-weary consumer of news might reasonably wonder if we’re headed into another version of climate alarmism.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite its note of alarmism, the Economist article mentioned above asks that question in entirely reasonable terms.

From Salon

Despite accusations of alarmism, the messaging appeared to have a limited impact on the public, with few signs of panic-buying in Swedish supermarkets.

From BBC

A warning to Swedes from two top defence officials to prepare for war has prompted concern and accusations of alarmism.

From BBC

Despite the steady stream of alarmism from Douthat and his ilk, it can often seem that babies are the most powerful lobby in America.

From Washington Post

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023