rabble-rousing

American  

[rab-uhl-rou-zing] / ˈræb əlˌraʊ zɪŋ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a rabble-rouser.

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noun

1. an instance or the practice of stirring up the passions or prejudices of the public.

Etymology

Origin of rabble-rousing

First recorded in 1795–1805

Explanation

A rabble-rousing politician deliberately gets their audience worked up into an angry frenzy. Sometimes a rabble-rousing speech even inspires listeners to violence. A skilled public speaker can powerfully capture people's attention and inspire them to take action, get involved, or vote a certain way. A rabble-rousing speaker does nearly the same thing, but their goal is to get a crowd aggressively angry. They do this by manipulating the audience's prejudices and fears. Rabble-rousing, which dates back to the early 19th century, is from rabble, "pack of animals," and rouse, "to stir up or awaken."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rabble-rousing

Universally acclaimed as the set of the weekend, the performance confirmed Rodrigo as a generational talent, equally at ease with lighters-aloft balladry, and rabble-rousing pop-punk antics.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

Desai added that he planned to balance that rabble-rousing spirit with productions that leaned more “celebratory and communal” and provided “different ways of having catharsis.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 29, 2026

On its surface, a 36-year-old football player teaming up with rabble-rousing investors might seem as unlikely as getting engaged to the world’s most famous pop star after talking about her on a podcast.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2025

Sinema’s political career began as a rabble-rousing anti-war activist.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 5, 2024

Maybe all hospitals should import groups of rabble-rousing punk rockers to kick-start the languishing patients’ hearts.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• inflammatory
• provocative
• subversive
• treacherous