false alarm

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.

Doubts about the current bull market have started to creep in following Friday’s tech stock wipeout, but this wouldn’t be the first false alarm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Chronic pain, however, continues even after the injury has healed, creating a kind of false alarm that can last for weeks, months, or years.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

The ShakeAlert system that warns about imminent shaking arriving from earthquakes sent a false alarm across California on Thursday morning for a magnitude 5.9 temblor that did not happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

What’s a red flag, what’s a false alarm and what’s already a five alarm fire.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2025

Something in me still hoped it was all just a false alarm.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia