ADJ
considerable, great | growing | sudden
public
The sudden power cuts caused widespread public alarm in the city last week.
unnecessary
VERB + ALARM
cause, create, provoke
The sudden power cuts created alarm in the neighborhood about what might happen next.
express, register
The neighbors expressed alarm when they heard the loud explosion coming from the factory.
PREP
in ~
She grabbed her child in alarm when the dog suddenly started barking loudly.
to sb's ~
To everyone's alarm, the fire alarm started ringing during the final exam.
with ~
The sudden power outage was met with alarm by everyone in the office.
~ about/at/over
Many parents felt alarm at the sudden change in their children's school schedule.
PHRASES
alarm and despondency
The negative news reports were spreading alarm and despondency among the local community.
cause for alarm
There's no cause for alarm if your flight is delayed; this happens all the time.
ADJ
false
The smoke detector went off at midnight, but it turned out to be a false alarm.
VERB + ALARM
give, raise, sound
When the smoke detector went off, it sounded the alarm and woke everyone in the house.
ALARM + NOUN
call
When the smoke detector went off, it sent an alarm call through the entire apartment building.
ADJ
fire, smoke | burglar, intruder, security | car
personal, rape
She decided to buy a personal alarm after walking home alone late at night.
radio
VERB + ALARM
set
I set an alarm on my phone so I wouldn't forget the dentist appointment.
activate, set off, trigger
The fire alarm was triggered when smoke filled the kitchen during dinner.
switch off, turn off
be fitted with
My new car is fitted with a security alarm that goes off if anyone tries to break in.
fit, install | test
ALARM + VERB
go off, ring, sound
The fire alarm rang during the meeting, forcing everyone to evacuate the office building.
ALARM + NOUN
bell, clock, signal, system
call
I requested an alarm call from the hotel reception before my 5am flight.