pander

1 of 2

verb

pan·​der ˈpan-dər How to pronounce pander (audio)
pandered; pandering ˈpan-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce pander (audio) ; panders

intransitive verb

1
to say, do, or provide what someone (such as an audience) wants or demands even though it is not good, proper, reasonable, etc.
… ignores doing the right thing … in favor of pandering for votes.George Ochenski
usually used with to
… used his brilliant gifts to pander to popular taste.Hubert Saal
… TV that panders to the worst in us.Jill Parkin
… a political chameleon trying to pander to voters …Cameron Smith
2
: to act as a pander (see pander entry 2 sense 2)
panderer noun
plural panderers

pander

2 of 2

noun

plural panders
1
a
: the act or an instance of pandering (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
Calling congressional leaders babies … is a pander to public opinion rather than an attempt to inform or lead it.Josh Benson
… is among the worst films of the year, a shameless pander for awards recognition …Jason Bailey
b
: someone who panders (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
… his primary goal is self promotion. He is a political pander.Allison Hoffman
2
a
: a go-between in love intrigues
b
: pimp

Examples of pander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Lewis Wedlock, a social psychologist specializing in masculinities, notes that the term is especially cutting when a man uses it to refer to another man, which can imply disdain for his authenticity and his submission in pandering to women. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025 In exchange, prosecutors dismissed human trafficking and pandering charges against him, court records show. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025 When being indicted for pandering, the infamous Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss purportedly had a list of celebrity clients, including Sheen. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025 The felony pandering charge alleges Mays procured another person for the purpose of prostitution, according to the California Penal Code. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pander

Word History

Etymology

Verb

derivative of pander entry 2

Noun

Middle English Pandare pandarus

First Known Use

Verb

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pander was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pander. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pander

noun
pan·​der
ˈpan-dər
variants or panderer
-dər-ər
: one who takes advantage of or profits from the weaknesses and mean desires of others
pander verb

Legal Definition

pander

1 of 2 transitive verb
pan·​der ˈpan-dər How to pronounce pander (audio)
: to sell or distribute by pandering
had no protected right to pander prurient materialsDunigan Enterprises v. DA for the Northern District, 415 N.E.2d 251 (1981)

intransitive verb

: to engage in pandering
counts included…conspiracy to pander and receive the earnings of a prostituteState v. Tocco, 750 P.2d 874 (1988)

pander

2 of 2 noun
: one who engages in pandering : panderer
Etymology

Noun

Middle English Pandare, character who procured for Troilus the love of Cressida in Troilus and Creseyde, poem by Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1342–1400)

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!