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pander

[ pan-der ]
/ ˈpæn dər /
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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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to pander

cajole, gratify, massage, please, satisfy, snow, soap, stroke, brown-nose, lay it on, play the game, play up to, politic, soften up, suck up to

How to use pander in a sentence

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
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