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demagogy

American  
[dem-uh-goh-jee, -gaw-jee, -goj-ee] / ˈdɛm əˌgoʊ dʒi, -ˌgɔ dʒi, -ˌgɒdʒ i /

noun

  1. Chiefly British. demagoguery.

  2. the character of a demagogue.

  3. a body of demagogues.


demagogy British  
/ ˈdɛməˌɡɒɡɪ /

noun

  1. demagoguery

  2. rule by a demagogue or by demagogues

  3. a group of demagogues

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of demagogy

1645–55; < Greek dēmagōgía leadership of the people, equivalent to dēmagōg ( ós ) demagogue + -ia -y 3


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:

“A combination of touching aspiration and predictable demagogy implicit in an attitude of eternal intention.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Mr Aiwanger's blunt style - to fans straight-talking, to critics dangerous demagogy - works well in beer tents and he makes even Bavaria's boisterous premier Markus Söder look stuffy.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2023

On the other hand, the movie is conspicuously wary of the powers of law enforcement and infused with a fear of demagogy.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 12, 2019

The key ingredient, in both salesmanship and demagogy, is authenticity, or the ability to be true to oneself without being the least bit truthful.

From Slate ● May 1, 2016

She would show those lawyers who had been reduced to cowards by Bruce’s demagogy!

From Counsel for the Defense by Charles M. Chapman

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