Alarmist/əˈlɑːrmɪst/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Negative Perception The term often implies a criticism of exaggerating dangers. The environmental activist was labeled an alarmist by critics. Pro Tip 2/3Media Usage Commonly used to describe sensational reporting in news media. The paper was accused of alarmist coverage of the natural disaster. Pro Tip 3/3Not Always False An alarmist might be correct, despite the negative connotation. She was branded an alarmist, but her predictions about the economy were true.