mongering: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumFormal, journalistic, pejorative
Quick answer
What does “mongering” mean?
The act of dealing, promoting, or trading in something, especially in a persistent or petty manner, often with negative connotations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of dealing, promoting, or trading in something, especially in a persistent or petty manner, often with negative connotations.
The suffix '-mongering' (from Old English 'mangere', meaning trader or merchant) is attached to nouns to denote the act of promoting, spreading, or peddling something, typically in an unscrupulous, alarmist, or sensationalist way. It implies engagement in an activity for profit or to cause trouble.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant syntactic or semantic differences. Spelling of compounds: 'rumour-mongering' (UK) vs. 'rumor-mongering' (US).
Connotations
Equally negative in both dialects. The usage is slightly more common in UK political/journalistic discourse.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but perhaps marginally higher in UK media.
Grammar
How to Use “mongering” in a Sentence
[Noun] + mongering (compound noun formation)to engage in [Noun]-mongeringVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mongering” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (As part of a gerund compound) The paper was accused of rumour-mongering.
- His career has been built on scandal-mongering.
American English
- (As part of a gerund compound) The network is engaged in blatant fear-mongering.
- They were guilty of reckless warmongering.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. '-mongering' does not function as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable. '-mongering' does not function as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He was a notorious gossip-mongering columnist.
- The warmongering rhetoric was condemned.
American English
- They ran a fear-mongering advertisement.
- The scandal-mongering press hounded the celebrity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; 'fishmongering' is archaic. Modern business terms avoid '-mongering' due to negative connotations.
Academic
Used in political science, media studies, and sociology to critique propaganda or sensationalism.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be heard in discussions about media or politics.
Technical
Not a technical term in itself, but used in meta-discourse about rhetoric and influence.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mongering”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mongering”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mongering”
- Using it as a standalone word (e.g., 'He is a mongering.') – It is a suffix, not a noun by itself.
- Using it in a positive context (e.g., 'peace-mongering' is ironic/oxymoronic).
- Confusing with 'meandering'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost never used as a standalone noun in modern English. It functions exclusively as a suffix in compound nouns like 'warmongering'.
Yes, in contemporary usage, it carries a strongly negative, pejorative meaning. It implies unethical, harmful, or sensationalist promotion or trading.
It comes from Old English 'mangere' meaning 'merchant, trader', related to 'mangian' (to trade). Over time, it acquired its negative sense when combined with certain nouns.
Virtually none in current use. 'Fishmonger' (a seller of fish) is a neutral term, but the activity 'fishmongering' is archaic. All modern compounds (rumour-, war-, fear-) are negative.
The act of dealing, promoting, or trading in something, especially in a persistent or petty manner, often with negative connotations.
Mongering is usually formal, journalistic, pejorative in register.
Mongering: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋ.ɡə.rɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːŋ.ɡɚ.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Noun]-mongering is rife.”
- “to be accused of [Noun]-mongering”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MONGREL dog (sounds like 'monger') running around the neighbourhood, spreading trouble and starting fights – that's what '-mongering' does with ideas.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE COMMODITIES (sold cheaply), HARMFUL ACTIVITY IS A TRADE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most typical use of '-mongering'?