ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alarmed

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //əˈɫɑɹmd// UK //ɐlˈɑːmd// alarmed

adj. feeling worried or frightened because you think something bad might happen. You feel this when you see a sudden warning or a dangerous situation.

adj. feeling a sudden sense of fear, anxiety, or apprehension in response to a perceived threat or danger. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'feel', 'look', or 'become'.


SIMPLE

She was alarmed by the loud noise outside.

CONTEXTUAL

Local residents grew increasingly alarmed as the water levels in the river continued to rise throughout the night.

COMPLEX

The public was understandably alarmed by the sudden fluctuations in the stock market, leading to widespread calls for more transparent financial regulations.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically follows a linking verb or describes a person's reaction to a specific event; often followed by the prepositions 'by' or 'at'.

Pitfall

The news was very alarmed.The news was very alarming.Learners often confuse the -ed adjective (how a person feels) with the -ing adjective (the thing that causes the feeling).

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