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Scaremonger: meaning, definitions and examples

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scaremonger

 

[ หˆskษ›rหŒmสŒล‹ษกษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

fear tactics

A scaremonger is a person who spreads frightening or alarming rumors or reports, especially with the intention of causing public panic or fear. This term often applies to those who exaggerate threats, such as in political or social contexts. Scaremongers aim to manipulate people's fears for various purposes, including gaining attention or influencing public opinion. Their tactics can be particularly potent in media or during crisis situations, where misinformation can spread rapidly.

Synonyms

alarmist, doomsayer, fearmonger

Examples of usage

  • The politician was labeled a scaremonger for his exaggerated claims about crime rates.
  • The article criticized the media for being scaremongers during the health crisis.
  • She accused her colleagues of scaremongering when they suggested drastic measures without proof.

Translations

Translations of the word "scaremonger" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น alarmista

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคกเคฐเคพเคจเฅ‡ เคตเคพเคฒเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Angstmacher

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penakut

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปัะบะฐะปะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ straszak

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆๆ€–ใ‚’็…ฝใ‚‹ไบบ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท fauteur de peur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ alarmista

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท korku yaymacฤฑsฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณตํฌ๋ฅผ ์กฐ์žฅํ•˜๋Š” ์‚ฌ๋žŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุซูŠุฑ ุงู„ุฐุนุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ straลกรกk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ straลกiteฤพ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅˆถ้€ ๆๆƒง็š„ไบบ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ straลกilka

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hryรฐjuveita

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า›ั‹ั‚ัƒา“ะฐ ัะตะฑะตะฟะบะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒจแƒ˜แƒœแƒ”แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜แƒก แƒ’แƒแƒ›แƒแƒ•แƒ แƒชแƒ”แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ”แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qanqonur

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ propagador del miedo

Etymology

The word 'scaremonger' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'scare,' deriving from the Old Norse word 'skera,' meaning 'to frighten' or 'to break,' with 'monger,' an Old English term that stems from 'mangere,' meaning 'a dealer or trader.' This reflects a trader in fear, as they would profit from spreading alarm or panic. The term emerged amidst the growth of mass media and sensational journalism, where the dissemination of fear-based narratives became a tactic for attracting readership and viewership. Over time, scaremongering evolved to encompass various contexts, including politics, public health, and social issues, highlighting the complex interplay between information, fear, and public perception. This evolution underscores the responsibilities of communicators in addressing and contextualizing threats rather than amplifying fear for gain.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,062, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.