sheeple

American  

[shee-puhl] / ˈʃi pəl /

plural noun

1. people who are like sheep in being meek, conforming, or easily led.

   Maintaining fear, division, and hate is a priority—sheeple are easier to herd when frightened.

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sheeple British  

/ ˈʃiːpəl /

noun

1. informal people who tend to follow the majority in matters of opinion, taste, etc

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Etymology

Origin of sheeple

First recorded in 1945–50; sheep ( def. ) + (peop)le ( def. )

Explanation

The word sheeple is a pretty mean-spirited term. It's used by some critics to describe people whom they perceive as behaving in an overly meek and docile manner. The word sheeple is a portmanteau of sheep and people. In general, sheep are thought of as being quite docile and easy to herd. They follow a shepherd, and they stick together, traveling the same path as the other sheep. The term sheeple emerged in the 20th century as a negative critique of mass consumerism and political conformity. Because it compares humans to livestock, especially in a way that suggests being overly simple, unquestioning, and conformist, it is considered an offensive term.

Example Sentences

They blur the line between personal and professional attire with a confidence that seems to jest at our conformity: Didn’t you sheeple know the rules are made up?

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

Their conspiracy theories offer them a way to feel special like they are privy to insider knowledge that the "sheeple" are too stupid or ignorant to understand.

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2023

Along with "ew" and "OK," words including "sheeple," "wayback" and "emoji" are included.

From Fox News • Sep. 24, 2018

Of those, other newbies include: aquafaba, beatdown, zomboid, twerk, sheeple, wayback, bokeh, botnet, emoji, facepalm, frowny, hivemind, puggle and nubber.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2018

“They take pictures of their butchered names and post them on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, wherever. ... That’s right sheeple, you’ve been giving Starbucks free advertising for years.”

From The Guardian • Dec. 21, 2016