alarm vs relief

alarm

noun
  • Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise. 

  • An instance of an alarm ringing, beeping or clanging, to give a noise signal at a certain time. 

  • A mechanical device for awaking people, or rousing their attention. 

  • A sudden attack; disturbance. 

  • Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger. 

  • A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy. 

verb
  • To give (someone) notice of approaching danger 

  • To rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert. 

  • To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear. 

  • To call to arms for defense 

  • To keep in excitement; to disturb. 

relief

noun
  • The feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort. 

  • Release from a post or duty, as when replaced by another. 

  • A type of sculpture or other artwork in which shapes or figures protrude from a flat background. 

  • A certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a tenant upon the death of the ancestor. 

  • A lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief. 

  • The apparent difference in elevation in the surface of a painting or drawing made noticeable by a variation in light or color. 

  • Aid or assistance offered in time of need. 

  • The removal of stress or discomfort. 

  • The supposed projection of a charge from the surface of a field, indicated by shading on the sinister and lower sides. 

  • Court-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress. 

  • The person who takes over a shift for another. 

  • The difference of elevations on a surface. 

adj
  • Characterized by surface inequalities. 

  • Of or used in letterpress. 

How often have the words alarm and relief occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )