pander

[ pan-der ]

/ ˈpæn dər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: pander / pandered / pandering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to cater to or profit from the weaknesses or vices of others: to pander to the vile tastes of the vulgar masses.

verb (used with object)

to act as a pimp or procurer of clients for (a prostitute).

noun

a panderer.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pander

First recorded in 1325–75; earlier pandar(e), generalized use of Middle English name Pandare Pandarus

OTHER WORDS FROM pander

pan·der·age, nounpan·der·ism, nounpan·der·ly, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pander

panda, pander

Words nearby pander

Pandean pipes, pandect, Pandects of Justinian, pandemic, pandemonium, pander, panderer, pandering, P and H, pandiculation, pandit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use pander in a sentence

However, intellectual honesty is the first thing to go when you are forced to constantly pander to your base.
Rush Limbaugh’s Fear of a Black James Bond|Dean Obeidallah|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But if I overdo it and I pander and I put something up just because the Twilight crowd is going to like it, I will get punished.
David Simon Says ‘The Wire’ Wouldn’t Survive on TV Today|Alex Suskind|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All Ham had to do was sit still for two-and-a-half hours, sound vaguely professional, and pander occasionally to his base.
The Bill Nye-Ken Ham Debate Was a Nightmare for Science|Michael Schulson|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And no one is confusing Obama with Bill Clinton, who knew how to maneuver—or, if one prefers, how to pander.
The Sprawling, Dimming Age of Obama|Lloyd Green|June 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They did not pander to social-conservative populists, and no one would accuse them of representing the Party of Stupid.
GOP Needs More Northeast Republicans to Save the Party|John Avlon|January 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, Townshend chose to pander to the feelings of the majority of the commons.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
But, sir, surely you would not pander to a scoundrelly taste?
Lavengro|George Borrow
But we for our part shall not pander either to the force-worshippers or to the masses.
The New Society|Walther Rathenau
I'll change those smiles to shrieks; Give the fool what she's proud of, martyrdom: In pieces rack that pander.
The Plays of Philip Massinger|Philip Massinger
Pander, pan′dėr, n. one who procures for another the means of gratifying his passions: a pimp.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pander

pander

/ (ˈpændə) /

verb

(intr foll by to) to give gratification (to weaknesses or desires)

(archaic when tr) to act as a go-between in a sexual intrigue (for)

noun Also: panderer

a person who caters for vulgar desires, esp in order to make money

a person who procures a sexual partner for another; pimp

Word Origin for pander

C16 (n): from Pandare Pandarus

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

pander

Origin of pander

OTHER WORDS FROM pander

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pander

Words nearby pander

Words related to pander

How to use pander in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pander

Word Origin for pander