stoke fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"stoke fear" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's efforts to increase or intensify feelings of fear in someone or a group of people. For example, "The dictator strove to stoke fear in the hearts of the people to maintain control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He also continues to stoke fear of Russia at home.

The New Yorker

"They'll try to stoke fear and create division.

The New York Times

The activities of the Armenian revolutionaries, however, did stoke fear and anxiety among the Muslims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The grand strategy of Daesh is to divide our communities and stoke fear between communities.

Independent

It was a calculated and shameful speech designed to stoke fear and division in our community.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, something for the Republican party to use to stoke fear among its constituency.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's always easier to stoke fear in people with untruths than to communicate a positive," she said.

The New York Times

Think all of this activity is simply an attempt to stoke fear among investors and charge fees for alleviating it?

The New York Times

Is this, taken together, the stuff of a potential right-wing political movement in Germany with the capacity to stoke fear and instability?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But Trump allies have continued to stoke fears of fraud.

The Guardian

That increase was largely in line with expectations and did not appear to stoke fears about inflation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stoke fear" to describe intentional actions that amplify anxieties within a group or society, especially when analyzing political rhetoric or media strategies.

Common error

While "stoke fear" is a powerful phrase, avoid overusing it in contexts that are already sensationalized. Use it judiciously to maintain credibility and avoid sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stoke fear" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, acting as a predicate in sentences. It describes the action of instigating or intensifying feelings of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stoke fear" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of intensifying or instigating feelings of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it often carries a critical connotation, highlighting deliberate attempts to manipulate public sentiment. While alternatives like "inflame fear" or "fuel fear" offer similar meanings, "stoke fear" specifically implies a calculated effort to amplify existing anxieties. When employing this phrase, ensure judicious use to maintain credibility and avoid appearing sensationalist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflame fear

Replaces "stoke" with "inflame", suggesting a more intense and rapid increase in fear.

fuel fear

Substitutes "stoke" with "fuel", implying that fear is being sustained and amplified.

incite fear

Uses "incite" instead of "stoke", focusing on the act of provoking fear.

breed fear

Replaces "stoke" with "breed", suggesting fear is being cultivated and spread.

provoke fear

Uses "provoke" instead of "stoke", emphasizing the action of causing fear.

nurture fear

Substitutes "stoke" with "nurture", implying a careful and deliberate cultivation of fear.

foment fear

Replaces "stoke" with "foment", suggesting that fear is being stirred up and encouraged.

feed fear

Uses "feed" instead of "stoke", emphasizing that fear is being strengthened and maintained.

fan the flames of fear

Emphasizes the rapid spread and intensification of fear, using a more vivid metaphor.

heighten fear

Replaces "stoke" with "heighten", focusing on intensifying the feeling of fear.

FAQs

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

You can use "stoke fear" to describe the act of intensifying or deliberately creating fear. For instance, "The politician was accused of using inflammatory language to stoke fear among voters."

What are some alternatives to "stoke fear"?

Alternatives include "inflame fear", "fuel fear", or "incite fear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "stoke fear"?

Yes, "stoke fear" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It follows standard verb-noun construction.

What's the difference between "stoke fear" and "raise fear"?

"Stoke fear" implies an active and deliberate intensification of existing fear, while "raise fear" simply means to bring fear into existence or to a higher level. "Stoke" suggests more manipulation than "raise fear".