scaremongers
Purveyors of panic
Scaremongers are people who spread alarming or exaggerated warnings, typically to manipulate public opinion or create unnecessary fear: The scaremongers predicted economic collapse that never came.
The term is dismissive—it implies the fears being spread are overblown or self-serving.
To scaremonger is to engage in this behavior.
Predictor of catastrophe
- catastrophistOne expecting sudden calamities
- sensationalistOne who inflames reactions
- pessimistOne expecting negative outcomes
- naysayerHabitual dissenter
doom-and-gloom · cassandra · apocalyptic · overreaction · hyperbole · exaggeration
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
distortion · misleading · brainwashing · indoctrination · exploitation · coercion
Unverified secondhand information
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- word-of-mouthInformation shared through conversation
canards · hoaxes · fabrications · grapevine · scuttlebutt
doomsayer
Predictor of catastrophe
- catastrophistOne expecting sudden calamities
- sensationalistOne who inflames reactions
- pessimistOne expecting negative outcomes
naysayer · doom-and-gloom · cassandra · apocalyptic · overreaction · hyperbole · exaggeration
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- spinRapid rotation around axis
deception · distortion · misleading · brainwashing · indoctrination · exploitation · coercion
hearsay
Unverified secondhand information
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
word-of-mouth · canards · hoaxes · fabrications · grapevine · scuttlebutt
hysteria
Uncontrollable emotional excess
- fight-or-flightAcute threat reaction
- negativistspessimists, defeatists, doomers, doomsayers, negative Nellies
scaremongersreassurers
People who calm fears
optimists · comforters · cheerleaders · encouragers · soothers
scaremongerstruth-tellers
Those who state facts
realists · straight-shooters · debunkers · fact-checkers · skeptics
scaremongersdownplayers
Those who minimize significance
minimizers · deniers · dismissers · denialists · apologists