What term is best described as strong anti communist sentiment and is also associated with the fear of spread of communist?

The term best described as strong anti-communist sentiment, particularly associated with the fear of the spread of communism, is "McCarthyism." This term originates from the actions and rhetoric of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s, during which he led efforts to expose and eliminate perceived communist influences in various sectors of American society, often through aggressive investigations and accusations. McCarthyism is characterized by its atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion, leading to widespread fear and the persecution of individuals based on often unsubstantiated claims of communist affiliations.