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

While not in any way rabble-rousing, they wage subtler revolutions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 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

They were treated to a set of raucous, rabble-rousing electro-rap, and responded by setting off smoke flares and moshing in giant rippling circles of bodies.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2025

Born Amala Ratna Zandile Diamini, she spent much of her youth making beats and rabble-rousing social media posts.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2023

In those days, I was something of a rabble-rousing speaker.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• inflammatory
• provocative
• subversive
• treacherous