populism
noun
pop·u·lism
ˈpä-pyə-ˌli-zəm 
plural populisms
1
: a political philosophy or movement that represents or is claimed to represent the interests of ordinary people especially against the Establishment (see establishment sense 2a)
Populism usually arises from a general discontent. … People feel that things are out of control, socially and economically. … The idea that this is the fault of the meritocratic elite is an easy sell.—
Nicholas Lemann
Nicholas Lemann… anti-government populism is beginning to give way to the more classic, anti-corporate populism …—Leslie Savan
Leslie Savan… Elizabeth Warren summoned the familiar and fiery spirits of Democratic populism. "Our job is to fight for the families of America," the Massachusetts Senator yelled over applause. … "Stitch up the tax loopholes so that millionaires and billionaires pay at the same tax rate as the people in this room."—Jay Newton-Small
Jay Newton-SmallThere are few things more terrifying than demagogic populism, sharpened dangerously into authoritarian rule, with minorities left at the mercy of those now in charge of writing and enforcing the laws.—George Takei
George TakeiThe move comes amid a rise in economic populism in the GOP, Republican strategist John Feehery told the Washington Examiner. Even as the party writ large is generally supportive of the business community, an insurgent crop of Republican lawmakers is pursuing a more working-class-friendly agenda …—Samantha-Jo Roth
Samantha-Jo Roth
sometimes, specifically
: the political and economic doctrines advocated by the Populists (see populist entry 1 sense 1b)
… the nativist populism of the 1890s, the political and social movement of poor and dispossessed farmers who saw the source of their plight as the controllers of money and the rule of gold … —Daniel Bell
Daniel Bell 2
: general concern for ordinary people
… a profile of James Brown in Look, in February of 1969. The article celebrated Mr. Brown's business empire … and his populism (traveling a hundred thousand miles a year to reach three million fans where they lived; capping ticket prices at five dollars for adults and ninety-nine cents for children under twelve) …—Philip Gourevitch
Philip GourevitchExamples of populism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But Hawley's pitch is reflective of the party's realignment in the Trump era, where the president's brand of populism has fueled a shift among working-class voters away from Democrats and towards Republicans.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 10 June 2025
Meanwhile, leaders like Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy are looking for ways to rebuild the Democratic Party, leaning further into economic populism in order to win elections, especially after the economy loomed so large during the 2024 campaigns.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 31 May 2025
Competent governance is the best antidote to angry populism, which disrupts and destroys rather than unifies and builds.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
The Hill: Trump is leaning into populism while trying to sell his controversial tariffs and trade policy to the country.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 May 2025
His comments came as part of a broader critique of rising nationalist populism, which often put him at odds with conservative Catholic groups in the United States.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
The European Union has looked to Tusk for a blueprint on undoing the effects of populism on a democracy – but a victory for Nawrocki was not part of the plan.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
With the rising tide of populism, many Republicans across the country have increasingly taken to demonization of banks, hedge funds, private equity firms, and large companies in general.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
But Francis gravitated to the realism — even the populism — of a later painter with much less polish.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
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.
/ Cbs News, CBS News, 10 June 2025
Meanwhile, leaders like Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy are looking for ways to rebuild the Democratic Party, leaning further into economic populism in order to win elections, especially after the economy loomed so large during the 2024 campaigns.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 31 May 2025
Competent governance is the best antidote to angry populism, which disrupts and destroys rather than unifies and builds.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
The Hill: Trump is leaning into populism while trying to sell his controversial tariffs and trade policy to the country.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 May 2025
His comments came as part of a broader critique of rising nationalist populism, which often put him at odds with conservative Catholic groups in the United States.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
The European Union has looked to Tusk for a blueprint on undoing the effects of populism on a democracy – but a victory for Nawrocki was not part of the plan.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
With the rising tide of populism, many Republicans across the country have increasingly taken to demonization of banks, hedge funds, private equity firms, and large companies in general.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
But Francis gravitated to the realism — even the populism — of a later painter with much less polish.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Populism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/populism. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share