scare tactic

/ˈskɛr tæktɪk/

Other forms: scare tactics

A scare tactic is a way of manipulating people into doing something by making them feel alarmed or fearful. A company's scare tactic might be advertising its product as the only way to avoid getting sick.

To sell you phony "survival suits," a crooked salesperson might use scare tactics to convince you that the worst is going to happen, so you and your family had better buy some of them immediately:

"You need to have survival suits,
Before the time is gone.
An asteroid has just been seen
Heading for your front lawn.
Once it comes, it'll be too late,
So buy these suits today.
You can trust me with your money.
(At least that's what I say.)"

Definitions of scare tactic

1. noun

   a method of controlling people’s beliefs and behavior by upsetting or frightening them, especially with exaggerated or twisted facts