pander

American  

[pan-der] / ˈpæn dər /

verb (used without object)

1. to cater to or profit from the weaknesses or vices of others.

   to pander to the vile tastes of the vulgar masses.

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verb (used with object)

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

noun

1. a panderer.

pander British  

/ ˈpændə /

verb

1. to give gratification (to weaknesses or desires)

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

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noun

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

2. a person who procures a sexual partner for another; pimp

Other Word Forms

• panderage noun
• panderism noun
• panderly adjective

Etymology

Origin of pander

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

Example Sentences

But the jury is out on whether Warsh will "pander to the president" if persistent inflation called for higher rates, he added.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

They acted like owners, obsessed over cash flow and didn’t pander to Wall Street’s whims.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

You don’t pander, and you don’t pretend complexity doesn’t exist.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 11, 2025

And is anyone calling for those to be shortened to pander to the attention span of younger audiences?

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

“He is a smuggler and a slaver, half pirate and half pander, but it may be that he is your best hope,” the innkeep had told them.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin