monger

1 of 2

noun

mon·​ger ˈməŋ-gər  ˈmäŋ- 

1

: broker, dealer

—usually used in combination

alemonger

2

: a person who attempts to stir up or spread something that is usually petty or discreditable

—usually used in combination

warmonger

monger

2 of 2

verb

mongered; mongering ˈməŋ-g(ə-)riŋ 

ˈmäŋ-

transitive verb

: peddle

Did you know?

Peddlers (especially fish merchants) have been called mongers for more than 1000 years. The term traces to a Latin noun meaning "trader." Initially, it was an honorable term, but every profession has its bad apples, and the snake-oil salesmen of the bunch gave monger a bad reputation. By the middle of the 16th century, the term often implied that a merchant was dishonorable and contemptible. Nowadays, monger is typically appended to another word to identify a trader of a particular type. Some combinations (such as fishmonger) suggest respectable commerce, whereas others (such as rumormonger, scandalmonger, and hypemonger) imply that a person is trading or spreading information in a careless or deceptive manner.

Examples of monger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Only a few such as Liz Cheney dissented — and they were damned as forever-war–mongers. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 9 Sep. 2024

Gossip mongers ate up the near-naked photos of the lead actors on set, the co-stars’ flirty interviews and online banter, and their exchanges of intimate looks during promotional appearances. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Verb

In some instances, the former president didn't name specific places, instead opting for general fear mongering rhetoric. —Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2024

Springfield has seen at least 33 bomb threats since Vance and Trump began their fear mongering, closing schools, government offices and medical facilities. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mongere, from Old English mangere, from Latin mangon-, mango, of Greek origin; akin to Greek manganon charm, philter

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

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