alarmed
adjective C1
Plain meaning
worried or frightened by a possible danger
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means worried or frightened by a possible danger, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalHis response sounded alarmed, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a alarmed assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a alarmed responsealarmed behavioura alarmed situation
Watch out
Do not use “very alarmed” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
alarmedness (noun, where natural)alarmedly (adverb, where natural)