monger

[ mong-ger, muhng- ]

noun

1. a person who is involved with something in a petty or contemptible way (usually used in combination):

   a gossipmonger.

2. Chiefly British. a dealer in or trader of a commodity (usually used in combination): cheesemonger.

   fishmonger;

   cheesemonger.

verb (used with object)

1. to sell; hawk.

monger

/ ˈmʌŋɡə /

noun

1. in combination except in archaic use a trader or dealer

   ironmonger

2. in combination a promoter of something unpleasant

   warmonger

Derived Forms

• ˈmongering, nounadjective

Other Words From

• mon·ger·ing noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monger¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun monger(e), mounger, Old English mangere, equivalent to mang(ian) “to trade, act as a monger” (ultimately from Latin mangō “salesman”) + -ere agent noun suffix; cognate with Old Norse, Old High German mangari; -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of monger¹

Old English mangere, ultimately from Latin mangō dealer; compare Old High German mangari

Example Sentences

What almost no one knows is that the day before was Election Day, the culmination of a Mississippi governor's campaign marked by violent rhetoric and fear mongering.

From Salon

After advocates tried to block the ban in court, arguing the law put women in danger, attorneys for the state of Georgia accused them of “hyperbolic fear mongering.”

From Salon

His answers where he would fear monger about immigrants killing dogs, fear monger about World War III multiple times.

From BBC

But when such a ludicrous theory is embraced by millions, we have to ask: What is the fear that is being mongered?

From Salon

“Born in the U.S.A.” did chronicle the dreams of the working class — as they were being dashed by years of Washington war mongering and new policies such as Reagan’s trickle down economics.

From Los Angeles Times