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
Mamdani’s brand of economic populism and laser focus on lowering costs in the astronomically expensive city has generated buzz and excitement.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
In that original viral campaign launch video, a bearded Platner, his strawberry blonde hair tousled, introduced Maine voters to the issues central to his platform, namely, broad economic populism, taxing billionaires, and universal healthcare.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Mamdani's brand of economic populism, which focuses on lowering the city's astronomical cost of living by advocating for the government to prioritize helping the lower and middle classes over the wealthy, has generated buzz and excitement.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
This flip would be the first GOP House gain in New England since 2018, affirming that economic populism and cultural conservatism can breach the blue wall.
—Kristin Tate, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Hatred, spread through rhetoric, populism and the internet, acts like a virus, ravaging any healthy social organism and bringing, death, destruction and pain.
—Alejandro González Iñárritu, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the political climate has shifted with the rise of right-wing populism.
—Bloomberg News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Civility was the dominant theme in his discussion with McCain, which touched on a variety of topics, including the rising tide of populism and isolationism in the GOP, redistricting, tariffs, and even that infamous fly on his head during his 2020 vice presidential debate.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025
Shakir, who unsuccessfully ran for Democratic National Committee chair earlier this year, has long pushed the party to fight harder for the working class and embrace economic populism.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 21 Sep. 2025
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Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
In that original viral campaign launch video, a bearded Platner, his strawberry blonde hair tousled, introduced Maine voters to the issues central to his platform, namely, broad economic populism, taxing billionaires, and universal healthcare.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Mamdani's brand of economic populism, which focuses on lowering the city's astronomical cost of living by advocating for the government to prioritize helping the lower and middle classes over the wealthy, has generated buzz and excitement.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
This flip would be the first GOP House gain in New England since 2018, affirming that economic populism and cultural conservatism can breach the blue wall.
—Kristin Tate, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Hatred, spread through rhetoric, populism and the internet, acts like a virus, ravaging any healthy social organism and bringing, death, destruction and pain.
—Alejandro González Iñárritu, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the political climate has shifted with the rise of right-wing populism.
—Bloomberg News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Civility was the dominant theme in his discussion with McCain, which touched on a variety of topics, including the rising tide of populism and isolationism in the GOP, redistricting, tariffs, and even that infamous fly on his head during his 2020 vice presidential debate.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025
Shakir, who unsuccessfully ran for Democratic National Committee chair earlier this year, has long pushed the party to fight harder for the working class and embrace economic populism.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Populism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/populism. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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