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foster fears

[/ˈfɔːstər fɪrz/]
verb phrase
alimentar medos / cultivar medos
1. to encourage or promote the development of fears; to nurture anxieties or concerns
The media tends to foster fears about climate change.
A mídia tende a alimentar medos sobre mudanças climáticas.
2. to create an environment in which fears can grow or flourish
Uncertainty in the workplace can foster fears among employees.
A incerteza no local de trabalho pode cultivar medos entre os funcionários.
Synonyms
encourage fearspromote anxietiesnurture concernsfuel worriesstoke fears
Antonyms
alleviate fearscalm anxietiesease concernsdispel fearsreassure

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
alimentar medos / cultivar medos
most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
fomentar medos
more formal alternative
Portugal
alimentar receios / fomentar receios
Portuguese variant using 'receios' instead of 'medos'

Related Idioms & Phrases

play on fears
prey on fears
stoke the fires of fear
sow the seeds of doubt
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