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.

This misinterpretation activates the cell's innate immune system, creating a false alarm that can lead to inflammation and disease.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

The ShakeAlert computer system that warns about the imminent arrival of shaking from earthquakes sent out a false alarm Thursday morning for a magnitude 5.9 temblor in Carson City, Nev., that did not actually happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

However, at 06:38 on Friday, he explained the "unknown vessel" was a false alarm.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 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

I laughed with them, at Teacher Li who had not made the message clear, at my own fears, at the whole false alarm.

From "Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution" by Ji-li Jiang