Meaning & use
fearmongering
Last updated
The deliberate spreading of frightening or exaggerated information to influence public opinion or behavior.
See it in a sentence
Critics accused the campaign ad of fearmongering rather than presenting facts.
The station was criticized for fearmongering about the outbreak before official data was even available.
A note on using this word
Almost always used critically, implying that the fear being spread is exaggerated or manipulative rather than justified.
Words with a similar meaning
scaremongering
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