scaremonger

[ skair-mong-ger, -muhng- ]

noun

1. a person who creates or spreads alarming news.

scaremonger

/ ˈskɛəˌmʌŋɡə /

noun

1. a person who delights in spreading rumours of disaster

Derived Forms

• ˈscareˌmongering, noun

Other Words From

• scare·mon·ger·ing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scaremonger¹

First recorded in 1885–90; scare + monger

Example Sentences

He insists she’s always condemned fascism - but hits out at what he calls "an obsession" with the term, which he claims is whipped up by the left to scaremonger before elections.

From BBC

It should matter that he went to the U.S.-Mexico border to scaremonger about immigrants, and that his companies face multiple lawsuits alleging horrible acts of racist discrimination.

From Seattle Times

For this he was treated as a scaremonger, even a crank.

From Seattle Times

May said he “did not want to be a scaremonger” and stressed that it was “very rare” for a dognapper to accost an owner while out on a walk with a dog.

From Seattle Times

Even if one disagrees, why label those who raise these important issues as “silly and strident” and “scaremongers” and leftists?

From Washington Post

Related Words

• pessimist