panic-monger

A panic-monger spreads false rumors about a food shortage.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who spreads fear or alarm: A "panic-monger" is an individual who deliberately or habitually creates or disseminates panic, anxiety, or hysteria among others, often through exaggerated claims or sensational information.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The local politician was accused of being a panic-monger when he claimed the town would run out of water within a month. (He spread unfounded fear about a water shortage.)
  • During the economic crisis, panic-mongers on social media exaggerated the risks of bank failures, causing unnecessary distress. (Individuals who created alarm about financial collapse.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as a panic-monger": to behave in a way that intentionally causes widespread fear.

  • The tabloid newspaper acted as a panic-monger by publishing misleading headlines about a new virus. (The newspaper deliberately stirred up public anxiety.)

• "panic-mongering" (noun/adj): the activity or practice of spreading panic.

  • His constant panic-mongering about climate change made it difficult to have a rational discussion. (His habit of spreading alarm hindered calm debate.)

Variants and Related Words

• Panic (n): sudden, uncontrollable fear or anxiety.

  • The fire caused a panic in the crowded theatre. (Widespread fear led to disorder.)

• Monger (n): a person who promotes or spreads something undesirable (e.g., a "war-monger" or "scare-monger").

  • He is known as a fear-monger, always predicting disasters. (Someone who spreads fear.)

• Panic-mongering (adj): characterized by the spread of panic.

  • The panic-mongering articles led to a run on the supermarket. (Articles that caused alarm.)

Synonyms

• Alarmist: a person who exaggerates or spreads alarming news unnecessarily.

  • The alarmist warned of an imminent asteroid strike that never came. (Someone who creates undue worry.)

• Scare-monger: a person who intentionally frightens others, often for personal or political gain.

  • Politicians who are scare-mongers often win votes by exploiting public fears. (Someone who uses fear to influence people.)

Related Idioms

• Cry wolf: to raise a false alarm.

  • After crying wolf several times, no one believed the panic-monger when a real threat appeared. (The person who repeatedly exaggerated dangers lost credibility.)

• Spread like wildfire: (of news or rumors) to spread very quickly.

  • The panic-monger's claims spread like wildfire through the community. (His alarming statements circulated rapidly.)