alarmingly high

USAGE SUMMARY

"alarmingly high" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very high or increasing in value or quantity, usually in an alarming fashion. For example, "The number of people infected with the virus is alarmingly high."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inequality is alarmingly high.

The Economist

Greece's debts remain alarmingly high.

The Guardian - Business

Despite that, the proportion of overuse is alarmingly high.

European Journal of Internal Medicine

Schizophrenia patients show alarmingly high rates of substance use disorders.

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment

Those forces acting on the brain are alarmingly high".

The New York Times - Sports

Bird deaths at some early wind farms were alarmingly high.

The New York Times

Deforestation rates in many countries remain alarmingly high.

The New York Times

A default rate of 31% seems alarmingly high.

The Guardian - Business

To some of us, that remains an alarmingly high proportion.

The Guardian

It's easy to eat your way to an alarmingly high cholesterol level.

Harvard University

The failure rate in drug development is alarmingly high and continues to rise every year.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alarmingly high", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured and why its high level is concerning. Provide specific data or comparisons to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "alarmingly high" as a generic intensifier. Always ensure that the level or rate being described is genuinely concerning and that this concern is justified by evidence or context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alarmingly high" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun, indicating that something is at a level that is causing concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard expression to denote elevated quantities or values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alarmingly high" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a concerningly elevated level or rate of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use. Appearing frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it serves to highlight issues demanding attention. While versatile, it’s important to ensure its use is justified by factual evidence to avoid misuse as a mere intensifier. Alternatives like "worryingly elevated" or "disturbingly excessive" can offer nuanced emphasis, but "alarmingly high" remains a direct and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worryingly elevated

Replaces "alarmingly" with "worryingly" and "high" with "elevated", changing the tone slightly while maintaining the core meaning.

unsettlingly prominent

Replaces "alarmingly" with "unsettlingly" and "high" with "prominent", emphasizing the disturbing visibility of something.

disturbingly excessive

Substitutes "alarmingly" with "disturbingly" and "high" with "excessive", intensifying the negative connotation.

dangerously increased

Replaces "alarmingly" with "dangerously" and "high" with "increased", emphasizing the potential hazard.

exceptionally critical

Replaces "alarmingly high" with "exceptionally critical", framing the situation as unusually important.

excessively acute

Changes "alarmingly" to "excessively" and "high" to "acute", stressing severity.

unacceptably great

Replaces "alarmingly" with "unacceptably" and "high" with "great", focusing on the inadequacy of the situation.

remarkably elevated

Changes "alarmingly" to "remarkably" and "high" to "elevated", keeping the sense of increase while toning down the alarm.

inordinately inflated

Replaces "alarmingly" with "inordinately" and "high" with "inflated", implying disproportionate growth.

surprisingly substantial

Replaces "alarmingly" with "surprisingly" and "high" with "substantial", suggesting unexpected significance.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "alarmingly high" in a sentence?

Use "alarmingly high" to describe a concerning increase or elevated level of something, ensuring that the context provides clear reasons for alarm. For example, "The infection rates are "alarmingly high", prompting immediate action."

What are some alternatives to "alarmingly high" that I can use?

Depending on the specific context, consider using alternatives such as "worryingly elevated", "disturbingly excessive", or "dangerously increased" to convey similar levels of concern.

Is it appropriate to use "alarmingly high" in formal writing?

Yes, "alarmingly high" is appropriate for formal writing when used accurately to describe concerning levels. However, ensure that the tone remains objective and supported by factual evidence.

What makes a rate or level qualify as "alarmingly high"?

A rate or level qualifies as "alarmingly high" when it significantly deviates from the norm or poses a clear threat to well-being, safety, or stability, necessitating immediate attention and action.