A fear appeal is a persuasive technique which intends to create a sense of fear or anxiety in the audience to encourage them to take a particular action. This type of strategy is commonly used in advertising, public service announcements, and health campaigns to make people aware of potential harms or risks associated with a particular behavior. Synonyms for fear appeal include scare tactics, shock value, terror marketing, and alarmist messaging. These techniques are used to provoke emotional responses in viewers and ultimately drive them towards a desired outcome. While the use of fear appeals can be effective in specific situations, it is important to use them ethically and responsibly.