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

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

On the bright side, he said, “there’s no problem of having a false alarm or being wrong,” because the predictions won’t affect people on land.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025

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

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2025

I think the fire marshal was just mad about our false alarm, and I think Terupt knew that, too.

From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea