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Showing results for rabble-rousing. Search instead for rabble+rousing.
Synonyms

rabble-rousing

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

adjective

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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Prosecutor Ben Holt previously told the court Mr Jones used "inflammatory, rabble-rousing language in the throng of a crowd described as a tinderbox".

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025

Isak is in prison, having been arrested last season for rabble-rousing; Yoseb is working in a munitions factory in Nagasaki, which should raise an eyebrow.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2024

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.