pander

[ pan-der ]

/ ˈpæn dər /

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

noun Also pan·der·er [pan-der-er] /ˈpæn dər ər/ .

a person who furnishes clients for a prostitute or supplies persons for illicit sexual intercourse; procurer; pimp.

a person who caters to or profits from the weaknesses or vices of others.

a go-between in amorous intrigues.

verb (used without object)

to act as a pander; cater basely: to pander to the vile tastes of vulgar persons.

verb (used with object)

to act as a pander for.

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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. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for pander

Chicago knew how to run against Romney the right-wing panderer, but how do they run against the pseudo-centrist suitor?
Michael Tomasky on How Obama Needs to Make Mitt Unacceptable Again|Michael Tomasky|October 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Of late, opponents and reporters have called Romney a panderer and worse.
Cheesy Grits, Y’all: In Defense of Mitt Romney’s Political Pandering|Hank Sheinkopf|March 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The governor was denounced by Kristol as an “irresponsible” panderer lacking foreign policy “seriousness.”
The New GOP Warmongers|Matt Latimer|March 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The doorkeeper's manners underwent an instantaneous change, and from the fierce bully he softened to the fawning panderer.
The Gold Hunter's Adventures|William H. Thomes

"Panderer" is not a pretty thing to be called, but the pleasant Messrs. Hilkovitz and Berger swallow it.
The Red Conspiracy|Joseph J. Mereto
But your friend, your accomplice, your panderer—the coward who represents you—shall pay for your crime.
Louise de la Valliere|Alexandre Dumas, Pere
With this sort of despite I was sufficiently inspired, extending equally to the patron and the panderer.
The Guerilla Chief|Mayne Reid
She then undressed the body, placed it naturally in bed, and went out to look for "her Billy," her paramour and panderer in vice.
Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives|Allan Pinkerton

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

Medical definitions for pander

Pander

[ pän′dər ]

Christian Heinrich 1794-1865

Russian-born German anatomist and pioneer embryologist. With Karl Ernst von Baer he discovered the distinct structural layers of the chick embryo.

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