demagogic
adjective
dem·a·gog·ic ˌde-mə-ˈgä-gik 
also -ˈgä-jik,
or -ˈgō-jik
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a demagogue : employing demagoguery
demagogically adverb
ˌde-mə-ˈgä-gi-k(ə-)lē
-ˈgä-ji- -ˈgō-ji-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The parallels between Brazil’s demagogic leader Jair Bolsonaro and President Donald Trump were obvious since the former took office. 
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 July 2022 On the other hand, the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings ended the demagogic power of Sen. Joe McCarthy, a Wisconsin Republican who used congressional investigations as a weapon against left-leaning government officials. Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 15 June 2022 Critics of Erdogan’s demagogic rule suggest his intransigence now ought to raise questions about Turkey’s place within the alliance. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 20 May 2022 Willie’s war buddy Mike Quinlan (Kevin Dennis) represents the unemployed Irish workers easily swayed by demagogic politicians. New York Times, 3 Apr. 2022 The implicit contrast is to ignorant brutes who gravitate to demagogic leaders and resentful agendas. Samuel Goldman, The Week, 9 Oct. 2021 Roughly seventy years ago the left's forebears made precisely the same move when confronted with an overly zealous, demagogic critic of communism. Damon Linker, The Week, 25 June 2021 All these choices are demagogic, geared toward endearing the electorate. Armond White, National Review, 22 Dec. 2021 And as in the United States a year ago, the opposition’s best hope of defeating the demagogic incumbent rests with an old stalwart of the left who is trying to kindle nostalgia for more civil and prosperous times. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2021 See More
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 July 2022 On the other hand, the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings ended the demagogic power of Sen. Joe McCarthy, a Wisconsin Republican who used congressional investigations as a weapon against left-leaning government officials. Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 15 June 2022 Critics of Erdogan’s demagogic rule suggest his intransigence now ought to raise questions about Turkey’s place within the alliance. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 20 May 2022 Willie’s war buddy Mike Quinlan (Kevin Dennis) represents the unemployed Irish workers easily swayed by demagogic politicians. New York Times, 3 Apr. 2022 The implicit contrast is to ignorant brutes who gravitate to demagogic leaders and resentful agendas. Samuel Goldman, The Week, 9 Oct. 2021 Roughly seventy years ago the left's forebears made precisely the same move when confronted with an overly zealous, demagogic critic of communism. Damon Linker, The Week, 25 June 2021 All these choices are demagogic, geared toward endearing the electorate. Armond White, National Review, 22 Dec. 2021 And as in the United States a year ago, the opposition’s best hope of defeating the demagogic incumbent rests with an old stalwart of the left who is trying to kindle nostalgia for more civil and prosperous times. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Greek dēmagōgikós, from dēmagōgós demagogue entry 1 + -ikos -ic entry 1
First Known Use
1831, in the meaning defined above
demagogic
adjective
as in rabble-rousing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rabble-rousing
- seditious
- agitating
- traitorous
- treacherous
- treasonous
- defiant
- insubordinate
- insurrectionary
- insurgent
- disobedient
- revolutionary
- intractable
- mutinous
- ungovernable
- recalcitrant
- refractory
- restive
- rebellious
- unruly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- constant
- true
- loyal
- steadfast
- staunch
- obedient
- stanch
- devoted
- tractable
- true-blue
- compliant
- submissive