populist

[pop-yuh-list]

noun

1. a supporter or adherent of populism.

2. (initial capital letter),  a member of the People's party.

adjective

1. Also populistic. of, relating to, or characteristic of populism or its adherents.

2. (initial capital letter),  Also Populistic. of or relating to the People's party.

Populist

¹

/ ˈpɒpjʊlɪst /

noun

1. history a member of the People's Party, formed largely by agrarian interests to contest the 1892 presidential election. The movement gradually dissolved after the 1904 election

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or relating to the People's Party, the Populists, or any individual or movement with similar aims

populist

²

/ ˈpɒpjʊlɪst /

adjective

1. appealing to the interests or prejudices of ordinary people

noun

1. a person, esp a politician, who appeals to the interests or prejudices of ordinary people

Other Word Forms

• anti-populist noun
• Populism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of populist¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1890–95; from Latin popul(us) “people” ( people, popular ) + -ist

Example Sentences

He recognizes Mamdani as a powerful force, a fellow populist who, like the president, ran as an outsider against establishment candidates in his party and won.

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It’s populist, so it’s something that’s sort of for the people.

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In reality, India has too many reckless left-wing populists who don’t understand basic economics and woo voters with fiscally irresponsible promises.

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These enlightenment heroes, manifesting in our present day as populists, compel Gen Z to become disillusioned with the establishment and support radical ideas on both sides of the aisle.

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This is one of those grandstanding populist ideas that won’t do much beyond deterring good businessmen and women from running for office.

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Related Words

• autonomous 
• constitutional 
• egalitarian 
• free 
• orderly 
• popular