pander

1 of 2

verb

pan·​der ˈpan-dər How to pronounce pander (audio)
pandered; pandering ˈpan-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce pander (audio) ; panders

intransitive verb

1
: to say, do, or provide what someone (such as an audience) wants or demands even though it is not good, proper, reasonable, etc.
… ignores doing the right thing … in favor of pandering for votes. George Ochenski
… used his brilliant gifts to pander to popular taste.Hubert Saal
… TV that panders to the worst in us.Jill Parkin
… a political chameleon trying to pander to voters …Cameron Smith
2
: to act as a pander (see pander entry 2 sense 2)
panderer noun
plural panderers

pander

2 of 2

noun

plural panders
1
a
: the act or an instance of pandering (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
Calling congressional leaders babies … is a pander to public opinion rather than an attempt to inform or lead it.Josh Benson
… is among the worst films of the year, a shameless pander for awards recognition …Jason Bailey
b
: someone who panders (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
… his primary goal is self promotion. He is a political pander.Allison Hoffman
2
a
: a go-between in love intrigues
b
: pimp

Examples of pander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In the name of liberal virtue signaling and pandering to his progressive base, Senator Wiener has introduced a bill that endangers the very men and women who've committed their lives to keeping us safe. Billal Rahman dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025 My view, based on experience with Trump, is that pandering to him is precisely the wrong way to go. Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is accusing Ukraine of using the issue to pander to the West and noted that at least Russia now admits to taking the children. Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 June 2025 And certainly nobody could accuse them of pandering. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pander

Word History

Etymology

Verb

derivative of pander entry 2

Noun

Middle English Pandare pandarus

First Known Use

Verb

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pander was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pander. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pander

noun
pan·​der
ˈpan-dər
variants or panderer
-dər-ər
: one who takes advantage of or profits from the weaknesses and mean desires of others
pander verb

Legal Definition

pander

1 of 2 transitive verb
pan·​der ˈpan-dər How to pronounce pander (audio)
: to sell or distribute by pandering
had no protected right to pander prurient materialsDunigan Enterprises v. DA for the Northern District, 415 N.E.2d 251 (1981)

intransitive verb

: to engage in pandering
counts included…conspiracy to pander and receive the earnings of a prostituteState v. Tocco, 750 P.2d 874 (1988)

pander

2 of 2 noun
: one who engages in pandering : panderer
Etymology

Noun

Middle English Pandare, character who procured for Troilus the love of Cressida in Troilus and Creseyde, poem by Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1342–1400)

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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