fear monger
Dealer in dread
A fear monger is someone who deliberately stirs up public anxiety, typically to manipulate opinion or advance an agenda: Critics called the senator a fear monger for his exaggerated claims about immigration.
The term is always pejorative—it accuses the person of exploiting fears rather than addressing legitimate concerns.
Also spelled fearmonger.
The verb fear-monger and noun fear-mongering follow the same pattern.
Predictor of catastrophe
- catastrophistOne expecting sudden calamities
- sensationalistOne who inflames reactions
- prophet of doomForeteller of calamity
- hysteriaUncontrollable emotional excess
exaggeration · hyperbole · overreaction · dramatization · pessimist · naysayer · fatalist · panic-inducing
Biased information for influence
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
brainwashing · incitement · provocation · polarization · scapegoating · conspiracy theorist · dog whistle · wedge issue
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
phobia · trepidation · apprehension · unease · alarm · fright · intimidation · threat
doomsayer
Predictor of catastrophe
- catastrophistOne expecting sudden calamities
- sensationalistOne who inflames reactions
- prophet of doomForeteller of calamity
hysteria · exaggeration · hyperbole · overreaction · dramatization · pessimist · naysayer · fatalist · panic-inducing · fearmongering
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
indoctrination · brainwashing · incitement · provocation · polarization · scapegoating · conspiracy theorist · dog whistle · wedge issue · spin
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
paranoia · phobia · trepidation · apprehension · unease · alarm · fright · intimidation · threat · menace
- mongersfearmonger, scandalmonger, warmongers, newsmonger, costermonger
fear mongerreassurer
One who calms fears
comforter · soother · optimist · encourager · cheerleader
fear mongertruth teller
One who states reality
straight shooter · voice of reason · honest broker · realist · fact checker
fear mongerunifier
One who consolidates
peacemaker · healer · reconciler · community builder · mediator
fear, monger, fears, feared, fearing, fearful, fearfully, fearfulness, fearless