Dictionary
1demagogue
noun dem·a·gogue \ˈde-mə-ˌgäg\
: a political leader who tries to get support by making false claims and promises and using arguments based on emotion rather than reason
Full Definition of DEMAGOGUE
1
: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
2
: a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times
— dem·a·gogu·ery \-ˌgä-g(ə-)rē\ noun
— dem·a·gogy \-ˌgä-gē, -ˌgä-jē, -ˌgō-jē\ noun
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Variants of DEMAGOGUE
dem·a·gogue also dem·a·gog \ˈde-mə-ˌgäg\
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Examples of DEMAGOGUE
- Like other good Whigs, they had assumed that the people, once free of English influence, would honor and elevate the country's true patriots and natural aristocracy in ways that the English Crown had not. But when in the decades following the Revolution the people seemed to succumb to the deceit and flattery of mushroom demagogues, who were the popular counterparts of courtiers, the Federalists became bewildered and bitter. —Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006
- Before the U.S. could begin to help Haiti rebuild its ravaged democracy last week, it first had to remove a raving demagogue. —Tim Padgett et al., Time, 15 Mar. 2004
- Here's the background: Tennessee's finances are a mess. The state is facing a shortfall of some $310 million—but legislators remember what happened last year when they considered imposing the first income tax on wages. Goaded by talk-radio demagogues, hundreds of citizens surrounded the Statehouse in a near riot. —Editor & Publisher, 4 Feb. 2002
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Origin of DEMAGOGUE
Related to DEMAGOGUE
- Synonyms
- agitator (also demagog), exciter, firebrand, fomenter, incendiary, inciter, instigator, kindler, provocateur, rabble-rouser
Other Government and Politics Terms
2demagogue
verb dem·a·gogue \ˈde-mə-ˌgäg\
dem·a·gogued also dem·a·gogeddem·a·gogu·ing also dem·a·gog·ing
Definition of DEMAGOGUE
intransitive verb
: to behave like a demagogue
transitive verb
: to treat (as an issue) in the manner of a demagogue
Variants of DEMAGOGUE
dem·a·gogue also dem·a·gog \ˈde-mə-ˌgäg\
Examples of DEMAGOGUE
- But Clinton's boldness seemed to work, at least within the Beltway. House Republicans mostly stifled the urge to demagogue against his plan. —Tom Morganthau et al., Newsweek, 11 Dec. 1995
Origin of DEMAGOGUE
(see 1demagogue)
First Known Use: 1656
Other Government and Politics Terms
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