mongering

[ mong-ger-ing, muhng- ]
See synonyms for mongering on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act or practice of promoting, spreading, or trading in a specified thing (usually used in combination):Government officials were creating an atmosphere of insecurity with rumors and fear-mongering.Almost 80% of the women here are involved in fishing, particularly in processing and fish-mongering.

adjective
  1. promoting, spreading, or trading in a specified thing (usually used in combination):During World War II the Irish Times was prevented by Irish censors from publishing warmongering propaganda on behalf of the British.

Origin of mongering

1
First recorded in 1580–90 for def. 2 and in 1805–10 for def. 1; monger + -ing1 for the noun; monger + -ing2 for the adjective

Words Nearby mongering

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mongering in a sentence

  • In short, the profession of scandal‑mongering he pursued with concentration, finesse, and infinite tact.

    The Silver Butterfly | Mrs. Wilson Woodrow
  • Buffon wished to raise a standing protest against mystery mongering.

    Evolution, Old & New | Samuel Butler
  • A scandal-mongering, yellow blatherskite, on its last legs financially.

    The Clarion | Samuel Hopkins Adams
  • I am inclined at times to explain the evidence in favour of the Baconian theory of Shakespeare as pattern-mongering.

  • He set his face against any Pg xi tendency to mystery-mongering, to exclusiveness, to sacerdotalism.