demagoguery
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of demagoguery
Explanation
Demagoguery is an appeal to people that plays on their emotions and prejudices rather than on their rational side. Demagoguery is a manipulative approach — often associated with dictators and sleazy politicians — that appeals to the worst nature of people. Demagoguery isn't based on reason, issues, and doing the right thing; it's based on stirring up fear and hatred to control people. For example, a politician who stirs up a fear of immigrants to distract from other issues is using demagoguery. Demagoguery is one of the most negative aspects of politics, but it's also one that's all too common.
Vocabulary lists containing demagoguery
We the People: Dem
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dem
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The New Jim Crow
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Demagoguery emerged in Athens concurrently with the rise of democracy.
From Time • Jun. 20, 2016
Demagoguery doesn’t work unless it’s dumb, shallow as water on a plate.
From Salon • Aug. 5, 2012
Such was the opening paragraph of an article entitled "Over the Hill to Demagoguery" which appeared last week in the February issue of Editor Alfred Emanuel Smith's New Outlook.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
