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
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Recent Examples of demagogue
Yale historian Timothy Snyder’s new book On Freedom explains how institutions of government can protect human rights while his 2017 book On Tyranny explains how demagogues succeed in eroding those pillars of society to be replaced by a tyrant.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
These interviews position Trump less like an anti-democratic demagogue and more as a former fraternity president visiting his grandson’s pledge class, responding to dull, doe-eyed questions with sage-like wisdom.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
The emerging regulatory oversight helped check America's first radio demagogue, Father Coughlin, whose conspiratorial tirades were heard by some 30 million listeners.
—CBS News, 1 Oct. 2024
Few other works of music are as effective at creating the incredibly dangerous but ecstatic feeling that many politicians and all demagogues hope to stir in their followers.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for demagogue 
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
These interviews position Trump less like an anti-democratic demagogue and more as a former fraternity president visiting his grandson’s pledge class, responding to dull, doe-eyed questions with sage-like wisdom.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
The emerging regulatory oversight helped check America's first radio demagogue, Father Coughlin, whose conspiratorial tirades were heard by some 30 million listeners.
—CBS News, 1 Oct. 2024
Few other works of music are as effective at creating the incredibly dangerous but ecstatic feeling that many politicians and all demagogues hope to stir in their followers.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for demagogue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demagogue
Noun
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The tech billionaire has called for new elections in the U.K., criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and voicing support for far-right figures in the country such as Nigel Farage, head of the Reform party, and Tommy Robinson, an anti-immigrant agitator.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
6 Jan. 2025
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On April 30, agitators who were said to identify as Zionist attacked the encampment.—
Orlando Mayorquín,
New York Times,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Such questions come after the Daily Mail and other outlets have reported in recent weeks that friends and members of the Trump family have become wary of Anderson, who began a romance with Trump Jr. last year when he was still engaged to MAGA firebrand Kimberly Guilfoyle.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2025
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Underscoring the populist-friendly tone of the new administration, expected inaugural attendees include Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British firebrand politician Nigel Farage.—
Laura King,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Lately, proponents of the cull have pointed to a 2023 study by researchers from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which seemed to show a reduction in bovine tuberculosis.—
Anna Russell,
The New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2025
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That will shift the domestic balance of power away from proponents of the green transition.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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However, the rebels continue to launch attacks aimed at Israel, which has vowed to retaliate against Houthi leadership in the event of further aggression.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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The four female protagonists in Nails rebel against society’s expectations of them with consequences for themselves and family and friends.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Fury’s legendary promoter, Frank Warren, seemed to take the announcement in stride.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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This was just the latest in a series of moves—including elevating former Republican operative Joel Kaplan to chief global affairs officer and adding combat-sports promoter Dana White to Meta’s board—that seem to indicate the company is vying to get into the good graces of the new administration.—
Vittoria Elliott,
WIRED,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Just last August, Kanye West’s former chief of staff and right-wing provocateur, Milo Yiannopoulos, alleged that West’s nitrous oxide addiction was costing the rapper more than $50,000 a month.—
Ben Dandridge-Lemco,
Rolling Stone,
29 Dec. 2024
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Leave it to Virat Kohli, India's talismanic batter who doubles as a renowned provocateur, to try to light a fire under his beleaguered team.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The four-time WNBA champion noted that Chicago Sky star Angel Reese attending the Met Gala in 2024 demonstrated the WNBA’s current and pivotal fashion moment.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
23 Jan. 2025
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But the odds say the undisputed junior featherweight champion should have a much easier time with late replacement opponent Ye Joon Kim anyway.—
Josh Katzowitz,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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When the pendulum swung during the Progressive Era, reformers pushed the government to impose new rules that gave workers a better quality of life and a fairer chance at upward mobility.—
Peter Georgescu,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
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MacKay went to Congress in 1982 and became a budget and spending reformer and helped to deauthorize the Cross-Florida Barge Canal.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to demagogue
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Cite this Entry
“Demagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demagogue. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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