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.

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

Reul said they saw "no smoke, no smell of fire, or damage", so they "concluded it was a false alarm", which he said was not unusual.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

That turned out to be a false alarm, with a mechanic finding only a malfunction with a warning light.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

I see some information about cops scrambling, but an editor says it’s a false alarm and not to worry about it.

From Slate • Jun. 17, 2025

Absurdly, I found myself hoping it was a false alarm.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt