Word forms: plural demagoguesregional note: in AM, also use demagog
countable noun [oft adjective NOUN]
If you say that someone such as a politician is a demagogue you are criticizing them because you think they try to win people's support by appealing to their emotions rather than using reasonable arguments.
[disapproval]
Synonyms: agitator, firebrand, haranguer, rabble-rouser More Synonyms of demagogue
demagogue in British English
or sometimes US demagog (ˈdɛməˌɡɒɡ)
noun
1.
a political agitator who appeals with crude oratory to the prejudice and passions of the mob
2.
(esp in the ancient world) any popular political leader or orator
Word origin
C17: from Greek dēmagōgos people's leader, from dēmos people + agein to lead
demagogue in American English
(ˈdɛməˌgɑg; ˌdɛməˌgɔg) or ˈdemaˌgog (ˈdɛməˌgɑg; ˌdɛməˌgɔg)
noun
1. Obsolete
a leader of the common people
2.
a person who tries to stir up the people by appeals to emotion, prejudice, etc. in order to win them over quicklyand so gain power
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈdemaˌgogued or ˈdemaˌgoged, ˈdemaˌgoguing or ˈdemaˌgoging
3.
to behave as a demagogue
Word origin
< Gr dēmagōgos, leader of the people < dēmos, the people (see democracy) + agōgos, leader < agein, to lead: see act1
Synonyms of 'demagogue'
agitator, firebrand, haranguer, rabble-rouser
More Synonyms of demagogue
(noun)
Definition
a political agitator who attempts to win support by appealing to the prejudice and passions of the mob
He was dismissed as a radical demagogue.
Synonyms
agitator
a famous singer who was accused of being a political agitator
firebrand
his reputation as a young firebrand
haranguer
rabble-rouser
a loud-mouthed rabble-rouser
soapbox orator
Additional synonyms
in the sense of firebrand
Definition
a person who arouses passionate political feelings, often causing trouble