variants
also demagog
as in agitator
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
that politician is just a demagogue who preys upon people's fears and prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of demagogue
Trump’s statecraft is, in these respects, not the impulse of a misguided and capricious demagogue but an appropriate response to a changing world and a changing America.
—
Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Many of the systems designed to constrain just such a demagogue have failed, with deferential courts in particular having let the former and soon-to-be president skate on nakedly anti-democratic conduct.
—Orlando Sentinel and New York Daily News Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
So when a demagogue like Trump speaks to her pain and promises to bring factories back, of course her heart leaps.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2024
As a result, the very outcome the founders most feared, namely election of a demagogue by a gullible cult of true-believers, has been made possible because of the Electoral College, which was originally designed to avoid precisely that outcome.
—Joseph J. Ellis, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demagogue
Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Many of the systems designed to constrain just such a demagogue have failed, with deferential courts in particular having let the former and soon-to-be president skate on nakedly anti-democratic conduct.
—Orlando Sentinel and New York Daily News Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
So when a demagogue like Trump speaks to her pain and promises to bring factories back, of course her heart leaps.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2024
As a result, the very outcome the founders most feared, namely election of a demagogue by a gullible cult of true-believers, has been made possible because of the Electoral College, which was originally designed to avoid precisely that outcome.
—Joseph J. Ellis, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demagogue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demagogue
Noun
-
The continent’s staunchest ally and partner, the United States, has turned its back and emerged as an agitator, perhaps even an adversary.—
Martin Gutmann,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
At first, the government tried to ignore the protests, then began to use force and accused the protests of being infiltrated by foreign agitators.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Ortenberg was an early champion of Moore, releasing in 2004 the Flint, Michigan firebrand’s Fahrenheit 9/11 — a connect-the-dots investigation of the George W. Bush presidency, the Iraq war, and corrupt wartime profiteering — which still stands as the highest-grossing documentary of all time.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Before Trump returned to power, Canada’s Liberals – in power for nearly a decade – appeared bereft of energy and ideas, with polls showing them on track for a heavy defeat to the Conservatives, led by the firebrand Pierre Poilievre.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
However, proponents believe navel pulling can offer all these benefits and enhance overall vitality.2 Much of this practice is rooted in Ayurveda, an alternative approach to medicine that has existed for thousands of years.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Musk and other autonomous vehicle proponents have pushed for simpler rules and exemptions to restrictions on vehicles that don’t have human controls.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Aiding the princess is a band of rebels led by the dashing Jonathan (Tony winner Andrew Burnap).—
Patrick Gomez,
EW.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Ooh, rendezvous with the hot rebel in the forest! 50.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Flea, Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench The concert was the latest in this format presented by veteran promoter and Knitting Factory founder Michael Dorf, who has staged 20 of them since 2006’s inaugural Joni Mitchell tribute.—
Caryn Rose,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Jackson, 58, said in a statement shared by promoters.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
While some men are jumping on board, the most popular of these creators—which range from nobodies doing voiceovers to far-right provocateurs like Candance Owens and Megyn Kelly—are women speaking to other women.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The skepticism had some basis—Gaga really did borrow from musical provocateurs before her (the foremost being, yes, Madonna).—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Sean Brady silenced all but the biggest naysayers on Saturday, defeating former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC London.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Pochettino referenced his background as a native of Argentina, where scrutiny on that country’s national team, the current world champion, can turn personal and baneful.—
Paul Tenorio,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Wells was a former theology student and social worker who became convinced that reform efforts would go much further if reformers were public officers with proper police credentials.—
Peter Zablocki,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 Mar. 2025
-
By the 1970s, inured in the culture of the moment, progressive reformers were driven to do something in Baltimore and across America that many of their peers would have considered anathema a decade earlier: rein in the authority of the purportedly wise men running powerful institutions.—
Marc J. Dunkelman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demagogue. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share