prey on fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prey on fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone takes advantage of others' fears for their own benefit, often in a manipulative or exploitative manner. Example: "The politician seemed to prey on fear, using alarming rhetoric to rally support for his campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Con artists largely prey on fear and greed.

Independent

"If Labour doesn't help to develop and shape the rise of English national identity as a distinct force in British politics then there is a danger that this space is instead commandeered and land grabbed by those that cultivate grievance, who prey on fear and insecurity and who offer the simple certainty of the blame game," she said.

The Guardian

They spread misinformation, prey on fear, and obstruct the reform America needs.

Huffington Post

"Like all good demagogues, he knew how to prey on fear, to take something that's a genuine concern and exaggerate the threat to create a panic".

Vice

Don't let magazine ads and other media outlets quash your self confidence with their marketing ploys: Marketing campaigns often prey on fear and insecurity by bringing those feelings to the forefront.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Or in some cases, there has been evidence of hoaxes meant to prey on fears and cause chaos in the subway.

The New York Times

As a warming climate increasingly affects the world's farmers, agribusiness will continue to prey on fears of "not enough" to preserve their way of doing business.

The Guardian

But in practice, it means they dredge up negative details about a victim's life prior to the incident, sometimes in ways that seem designed to promote racist stereotypes and prey on fears.

The Guardian

But the fact that Mr. Bush preyed on fear to get re-elected does not excuse Mr. Obama for trying the same.

The New York Times

Tactics such as oppression, preying on fear and restricting freedoms can help sustain a government's rule for only so long.

The Washington Post

Yvonne's obstetrician scowled and said that the cord-blood industry was run by profiteers who preyed on fear, but she conceded that she knew of a case where the cells actually were needed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "prey on fear", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate exploitation of fear, not simply an acknowledgment of its existence. For example, avoid vague sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "prey on fear" to describe situations where fear is a natural or unintended consequence of events, instead of a deliberate tactic. For instance, economic downturns don't necessarily "prey on fear"; they may simply cause it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prey on fear" functions as a verb phrase, where "prey" is a verb and "fear" is a noun. It's commonly used to describe the act of exploiting or taking advantage of someone's fears. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately reflects the practice of leveraging fear for personal gain.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prey on fear" is a verb phrase used to describe the exploitation of people's fears, typically in a manipulative or unethical manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While the phrase isn't exceptionally common, it appears in various contexts, primarily within news and media sources. When using "prey on fear", ensure that the context clearly reflects a deliberate intention to exploit anxieties, rather than simply acknowledging their existence. Alternatives such as "exploit anxieties" or "capitalize on insecurities" offer similar meanings and can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exploit anxieties

Focuses specifically on taking advantage of anxieties.

capitalize on insecurities

Highlights the act of leveraging insecurities for advantage.

take advantage of vulnerabilities

Emphasizes the exploitation of weaknesses or susceptible states.

manipulate anxieties

Directly suggests controlling or influencing anxieties for a specific purpose.

play on fears

Implies a deliberate action to instigate fear to achieve a goal.

leverage concerns

Describes using concerns as a tool for achieving an outcome.

abuse anxieties

Highlights the misuse of anxieties, often in a harmful way.

profit from insecurity

Focuses on gaining material or other benefits from others' insecurity.

trade on apprehension

Describes the act of using apprehension as a resource for personal advancement.

benefit from anxieties

Highlights the receipt of advantages due to the presence of anxieties.

FAQs

How can I use "prey on fear" in a sentence?

Use "prey on fear" to describe situations where someone deliberately exploits or takes advantage of people's fears. For example, "The advertisement seemed to "prey on fear" of aging to sell its product".

What are some alternatives to "prey on fear"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exploit anxieties", "capitalize on insecurities", or "take advantage of vulnerabilities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "prey on fear"?

Yes, the phrase ""prey on fear"" typically carries a negative connotation, implying manipulation or exploitation. It suggests that someone is unethically leveraging others' fears for their own benefit.

What's the difference between ""prey on fear"" and "address fears"?

"Prey on fear" implies exploiting fears, while "address fears" means acknowledging and attempting to alleviate them. The first is manipulative, while the second is supportive or constructive.