demagogue
Meanings
noun
- A political orator or leader, especially in a democratic system, who gains favor by pandering to or exciting the passions and prejudices of the audience rather than by using rational argument.
- A leader of the people.
verb
- To speak or act in the manner of a demagogue; to speak about (an issue) in the manner of a demagogue.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
From Middle French démagogue, from Ancient Greek δημαγωγός (dēmagōgós, “popular leader, mob leader”), from δῆμος (dêmos, “people”) + ἀγωγός (agōgós, “guide”). By surface analysis, dem- + -agogue.
Related words
Derived words
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