What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
alarm
Example
The fire alarm went off, and everyone quickly evacuated the building. [alarm: noun]
Example
I felt a sense of alarm when I heard strange noises coming from the basement. [alarm: noun]
Example
The recent spike in crime rates has caused alarm among residents. [alarm: noun]
alert
Example
The soldiers were on high alert, ready to respond to any enemy attacks. [alert: adjective]
Example
I received an alert on my phone about the upcoming storm. [alert: noun]
Example
She has a sharp mind and is always alert to new opportunities. [alert: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alert is more commonly used than alarm in everyday language. Alert is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while alarm is less common and refers more specifically to warning devices or feelings of fear.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between alarm and alert?
Both alarm and alert can be used in formal and informal contexts, but alarm may be more commonly associated with emergency situations and therefore may be used more frequently in informal contexts.
