rabble-rouser

noun

rab·​ble-rous·​er ˈra-bəl-ˌrau̇-zər How to pronounce rabble-rouser (audio)
: one that stirs up the masses of the people (as to hatred or violence) : demagogue
rabble-rousing noun or adjective

Examples of rabble-rouser in a Sentence

rabble-rousers inciting hungry people in breadlines to demand social justice
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.
In the week leading up to the 2001 Daytona 500, Hinton was portrayed as a rabble-rouser and a muckraker by NASCAR and its fans. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025 This year, the Super Bowl booked Compton firebrand Kendrick Lamar, offering a former award-show rabble-rouser an audience with President Trump in attendance. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2025 Still, with Trump’s ascension to the presidency, the DEI backlash has graduated from a social media campaign by a handful of rabble-rousers to the official policy of the federal government. Allison Morrow, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025 Martin Odegaard is the most avid rabble-rouser, using the small momentum swings of pressing the opposition into kicking the ball out or going close with a chance as an opportunity to lift the intensity. Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 Several rabble-rousers who were a thorn in the leadership’s side are leaving the House, including Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) and Bob Good (R-Va.). Filip Timotija, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024 Yes, but: Ocasio-Cortez may continue to confront the ghosts of her past as one of Democrats' foremost left-wing rabble-rousers. Andrew Solender, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024 The other person in the room is fellow troubadour and rabble-rouser Pete Seeger. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024 Increasingly, Europe’s centrist figureheads are dropping their once-high-minded rhetoric on irregular migration, reaching instead for positions that were previously the preserve of the continent’s populist rabble-rousers. Rob Picheta, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabble-rouser was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near rabble-rouser

Cite this Entry

“Rabble-rouser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabble-rouser. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

rabble-rouser

noun
rab·​ble-rous·​er
ˈrab-əl-ˌrau̇-zər
: a person who stirs up the people especially to hatred or violence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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