demagogue Hear it!

demagogue Definition

dema·gogue (dem′ə gäg′, -gôg′)

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 quickly and so gain power

Etymology: < Gr dēmagōgos, leader of the people < dēmos, the people (see democracy) + agōgos, leader < agein, to lead: see act

intransitive verb -·gogued′ or -·goged′, -·gogu′ing or -·gog′·ing

to behave as a demagogue

demagogue Synonyms

demagogue

n.

agitator, rabble-rouser, fanatic, revolutionary; see agitator, rebel 1, speaker 1.

demagogue Usage Examples

Converse of subject

lead: Led by the demagogue Vojislav Seselj, the latter was used to create a puppet opposition which concentrated on discrediting any real opposition movements.

Converse of object

  • rant: But at least he's our incoherent, ranting demagogue.
  • play: Maley is playing the demagogue, which is a dirty trick.
  • become: And when a Poet or a Novelist becomes a demagogue the same applies to him.

Adjective modifier

  • irresponsible: This, however, does not prevent the reactionaries and irresponsible demagogues from indulging in false patriotic manifestations and provocations.
  • populist: SLP supremo Arthur Scargill played his favorite role as a populist demagogue from the floor.