demagogue
Americannoun
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demagogues
plural
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a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.
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(in ancient times) a leader of the people.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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a political agitator who appeals with crude oratory to the prejudice and passions of the mob
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(esp in the ancient world) any popular political leader or orator
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of demagogue
1640–50; < Greek dēmagōgós a leader of the people, popular leader, equivalent to dêm ( os ) people + agōgós leading, guiding; see -agogue
Explanation
A demagogue is someone who becomes a leader largely because of skills as a speaker or who appeals to emotions and prejudices. Though the Greek root for demagogue literally means "a leader of the people," the word has for centuries had a negative connotation: it actually means a leader who has manipulated the emotions and prejudices of the rabble. The reason for the negative connotation is that in ancient Athens, "the people" were considered to be an uncivilized mob. Two of the most famous historical demagogues are said to be Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.
Vocabulary lists containing demagogue
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The Federalist Papers, No. 1 by Alexander Hamilton
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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.
See Examples For:
Mr. Johnson understands that a demagogue must be as entertaining as he is monstrous.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2025
But he also turned on his vice-president, reposting a comment on X in which she was labelled a "traitor, a demagogue and stupid in economic terms".
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2025
“Parade,” which delves into antisemitism, systemic bias in our judicial system and the power of a wily demagogue to stoke atavistic hatred for self-gain, has a disconcerting timeliness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2025
Watson was an effective demagogue because he practiced a politics of anger in an era that demanded it.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2024
A flash of wit and a striking phrase came frequently, but the manner was emphatically not that of a demagogue.
From Dictatorship vs. Democracy (Terrorism and Communism) by Leon Davidovich Trotzky
He said the corporation was "the best defence of truth and trust against the lies of dictators and demagogues".
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2025
Demonization and dehumanization are tried and true tactics of demagogues in every era.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2025
Racism has bedeviled this continent for centuries, but demagogues who seek power through raw resentment fail all the time.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2024
In this discourse, there is no self-determining collective subject in politics, only disembodied individuals held together by the allure of cults, demagogues and the strong odor of hate.
From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2022
Atticus Finch was right when he said the only good the University did Henry was let him make friends with Alabama’s future politicians, demagogues, and statesmen.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
At the same time, only a week ago, President Obama had praised Ryan as a "pretty sincere guy" and seemed to suggest Ryan's idea shouldn't be demagogued as "trying to hurt our senior citizens."
From Washington Post ● Feb. 5, 2010
Perhaps directness is what’s required for an issue that cries out for more listening and less demagoguing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2022
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.
