Well-read · Politics & society · Arguing & persuading
Demagogue: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Demagogue noun. A political leader who wins support by stirring up people's fears and prejudices rather than by reasoned argument.
How to say it
DEM-uh-gog/ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/
3 syllables, stressed on the first (DEM). Forms: demagogues, demagoguery.
Demagogue in a sentence
History is full of demagogues who blamed every problem on a convenient outsider.
The novel's villain is a small-town demagogue with a microphone and a grudge.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- rabble-rouser
- agitator
- firebrand
Opposite:
- statesman
Where demagogue comes from
From Greek dēmagōgos, a leader of the people, from dēmos, people, and agōgos, leading.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The novel's villain is a small-town _____ with a microphone and a grudge.
- demagogue
- mandate
- sortition
Show the answer
demagogue: The novel's villain is a small-town demagogue with a microphone and a grudge.