exploit fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"exploit fear" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to take advantage of someone's fear for one's own gain or benefit. It can be used in various contexts, such as in politics, marketing, or psychology. Example: The politician's speech was filled with emotional appeals designed to exploit fear and sway voters to support his agenda.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Recruiters exploit fear, Bryant said, and "we're enabling that exploitation".  .

Huffington Post

They intend to exploit fear of the "mandate" in the same way the exploited fear of the mythical "death panels" last year.

Huffington Post

Eight years of attempts to exploit fear and foster division, all to score political points.

The New York Times

President Bush never misses an opportunity to exploit fear and hardship to advance his agenda of selfishness.

The New York Times

In the coming weeks, the cynics and the naysayers will continue to exploit fear and concerns for political gain.

The New York Times

It was argued that a terrorist, who sought to create and exploit fear in order to bring about political change, "wanted a lot of people watching and a lot of people listening and not a lot of people dead".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It's disappointing that some people have attempted to exploit fears and real threats to demonize a whole faith community".

The New York Times

The argument is an anti-big-government one instead, an effort to exploit fears of creeping nannyism and of an erosion of personal responsibility and freedom.

The New York Times

When people are worried, and when the system is under strain, it is easy to seek cheap headlines or to exploit fears.

The Guardian - Opinion

A1 Doctors' Role at Guantánamo Military doctors at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, have aided interrogators in conducting and refining coercive interrogations of detainees, including providing advice on how to increase stress levels and exploit fears, according to detailed accounts given by former interrogators.

The New York Times

The film is the most ambitious statement of Curtis's methods and his message since his 2004 series The Power of Nightmares, which prophetically examined the ways that western governments exploit fears of terrorism to exert control.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "exploit fear", ensure the context clearly indicates who is benefiting from the exploitation and who is being harmed. Clarity will prevent misinterpretations.

Common error

Be specific about the type of fear being exploited. Instead of vaguely stating someone is "exploiting fear", clarify whether it's fear of crime, economic instability, or something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exploit fear" functions as a verb phrase, where "exploit" is the transitive verb and "fear" is the direct object. It describes the action of taking advantage of fear, often for manipulative purposes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exploit fear" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes the act of taking advantage of someone's fear, frequently for personal gain or manipulative purposes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, carrying a negative connotation. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be specific about the type of fear being exploited to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Alternative phrases such as "capitalize on fear", "take advantage of fear", and "manipulate through fear" can be used to express similar concepts with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capitalize on fear

Replaces "exploit" with "capitalize on", focusing on the act of profiting from fear.

take advantage of fear

Uses a more general term, "take advantage of", to convey the act of leveraging fear.

manipulate through fear

Emphasizes the manipulative aspect of using fear to control others.

play on people's fears

Focuses on the act of using people's existing fears for one's own benefit.

prey on anxieties

Highlights the act of exploiting anxieties, which are closely related to fears.

weaponize fear

Uses a stronger term, "weaponize", to indicate the use of fear as a tool.

use fear as a tool

States directly that fear is being used as a means to an end.

stoke anxieties

Focuses on increasing anxieties which are related to fears, for exploitation.

harness fear for gain

Emphasizes the intentional direction and control of fear toward a specific outcome.

profit from public anxieties

Shifts focus to profiting from general public's worry, rather than direct exploitation of fear.

FAQs

What does it mean to "exploit fear"?

To "exploit fear" means to take unfair advantage of someone's anxieties or worries for personal gain or manipulation. This often involves using fear tactics to influence behavior or decisions.

How can I use "exploit fear" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician was accused of trying to "exploit fear" to gain votes," or "Advertisers often "exploit fear" of aging to sell anti-wrinkle creams."

What are some alternatives to "exploit fear"?

You can use alternatives like "capitalize on fear", "take advantage of fear", or "manipulate through fear" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "exploit fear"?

The phrase "exploit fear" generally carries a negative connotation, suggesting unethical or manipulative behavior. However, in some contexts, raising awareness of potential dangers (which might induce fear) could be seen as necessary, though still potentially exploitative if done primarily for personal gain.