alarming resemblance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alarming resemblance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a striking or concerning similarity between two things, often in a negative context. Example: "The forensic expert noted the alarming resemblance between the two crime scenes, raising concerns about a possible serial offender."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The directors, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, chose to emphasize how Ms. Bakker's cosmetic surgery has given her an alarming resemblance to the wide-eyed dolls and marionettes slumped in chairs all over her house.

The New York Times

(It's worth mentioning that Dennis, Louie and Daryl bear an alarming resemblance to the new vaudevillians Geoff Sobelle, Steve Cuiffo and Trey Lyford -- Mr. Sobelle and Mr. Lyford are best known for "All Wear Bowlers" -- albeit disguised under regrettable facial hair).

The New York Times

After the box office antics of Universal's Bridesmaids, Warner Bros' lame Hangover sequel (which, despite its alarming resemblance to the original, has notched up $251m in North America and $310.4m internationally) and Sony's Bad Teacher, Warner Bros must have felt confident about Horrible Bosses.

The Guardian - Film

Clinging onto a narrative that portrays climate migrants as a faceless horde spreading across nations, devouring their resources and causing civil catastrophe has alarming resemblance to biblical plagues has dangerous consequences.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Section 28, to which the recent Russian clause bears alarming resemblance, was a UK law in place from 1988 to 2003 20000 in Scotland) which had the effect of preventing schools from discussing LGBT issues, offering advice to LGBT youth or portraying homosexual relations as an "acceptable family relationship".

Independent

After five years of lacklustre rule, under a conservative administration afflicted by alarming levels of corruption, Greece bears almost no resemblance to the country that in 2004 won the European football championship and Eurovision song contest before staging a golden Olympic games.

The Guardian

Some visitors find it an alarming multi- story space voyager contraption, with no resemblance to orangutan environments in their native Asian habitats.

Huffington Post

Perhaps most alarming to veteran Sox watchers was that the Yankee team that rolled into Fenway Park for a three-game series bore little resemblance to the tattered team of overmatched minor leaguers who constituted the bulk of the roster for much of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Alarming stuff.

The Guardian - Business

More alarming?

The New York Times

The resemblance is uncanny!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alarming resemblance", ensure that the context clearly explains why the similarity is concerning. Provide specific details to support your claim and avoid vague generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "alarming resemblance" when the similarity is minor or inconsequential. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact when describing genuinely serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarming resemblance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "alarming" modifies the noun "resemblance". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating its role in describing a specific kind of similarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alarming resemblance" effectively conveys a worrying similarity between two subjects. Grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's primarily used in news and media to highlight concerning parallels. While relatively rare, the phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for objective reporting. Remember, the "alarming" aspect arises from potential negative implications associated with the resemblance. Consider using alternatives like "disturbing similarity" or "worrying likeness" to fine-tune the specific nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturbing similarity

Replaces "resemblance" with "similarity" and "alarming" with "disturbing", emphasizing the unsettling nature of the likeness.

worrying likeness

Substitutes "resemblance" with "likeness" and "alarming" with "worrying", focusing on the concern the similarity raises.

unsettling similarity

Uses "unsettling" in place of "alarming", highlighting the discomfort caused by the resemblance.

ominous parallel

Employs "ominous" instead of "alarming" and "parallel" instead of "resemblance", suggesting a potentially threatening connection.

troubling similarity

Replaces "alarming" with "troubling", emphasizing the problematic nature of the likeness.

concerning likeness

Substitutes "alarming" with "concerning", focusing on the worrisome aspect of the similarity.

disquieting resemblance

Uses "disquieting" to describe the resemblance, highlighting the anxiety it provokes.

suspicious similarity

Emphasizes the doubt or mistrust associated with the similarity.

worrisome correspondence

Replaces both words to emphasize the connection between the two things, but the impact or association of it is troublesome.

frightening parallel

Uses stronger words to convey the potential danger associated with the things being parallel to each other.

FAQs

How to use "alarming resemblance" in a sentence?

Use "alarming resemblance" to describe a similarity that is concerning or disturbing. For example, "The detective noted the "alarming resemblance" between the two crime scenes, suggesting a possible connection."

What can I say instead of "alarming resemblance"?

You can use alternatives like "disturbing similarity", "worrying likeness", or "unsettling similarity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "alarming resemblance" formal or informal?

"Alarming resemblance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "concerning likeness" for a slightly more professional tone.

What makes a resemblance "alarming"?

A resemblance becomes "alarming" when it suggests something negative, dangerous, or problematic. This could be due to potential consequences, historical parallels, or ethical concerns.