DEMAGOGS Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

demagogues

noun

variants also demagogs

plural of demagogue

as in agitators

a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent that politician is just a demagogue who preys upon people's fears and prejudices

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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.

Recent Examples of demagogues In recent years, totalizing ideologies such as communism, fascism, and Islamism have found dedicated audiences on social media, and the proliferation of demagogues manipulating people for malign ends is an ever-present worry. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 And as Netanyahu’s coalitions hardened Schleien’s programs became edgier, skewering Netanyahu sycophants in the Likud Party, anti-élitist demagogues, cultic settlers, and rabbinic mandarins. — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy. — Alma Hernandez, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026 Does the rise of right-wing demagogues offer chilling parallels to the Pinochet era? — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026 Leftist demagogues specialize in lose-lose-lose policies. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 Certainly Arendt, who lived through arguably darker times, did not see them as merely a product of the era’s monstrous demagogues. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 Following the outbreak of COVID-19, bias incidents and assaults against Asian Americans soared to alarming heights as demagogues on the streets and in high office inflamed xenophobic fear and animosity. — Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026 Without a robust legitimacy narrative, demagogues fill the vacuum. — Annelise Riles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demagogues

Noun

Tibbetts wants fans to blame outside agitators for ruining the league's momentum.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Some of the speculation comes from state workers who are unhappy with the governor’s decision, the moderator said, but the subreddit’s activity also attracts outside agitators who are obviously not government employees.

— William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of agitators

Noun

Al-Sharaa ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 in an offensive led by HTS rebels.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
The designation remained throughout the rule of his son Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled by rebels led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa in December 2024.

— Reuters, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rebels

Noun

As for the animal health risk, many proponents point out that screwworm made it into the US either through infested wildlife or via flies themselves while the border was closed to the cattle trade.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Termini could not provide an explanation as to why proponents opted to revive an unrelated, inactive bill.

— Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of proponents

Noun

Israel, meanwhile, has remained suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus, led by former Islamist insurgents.

— Andrew Wilks, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2026
In both races, the two incumbents faced insurgents who ran under the democratic socialist banner with campaigns that emphasized universal health care, cost-of-living concerns and opposition to Israel.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of insurgents

Noun

The government said Khan’s supporters had begun gathering outside the private hospital in violation of the court order, which required them to stay away from the medical facility to avoid inconveniencing other patients.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Lindsay Clancy supporters rally for her as critics question where kids' advocates are.

— , FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporters

Noun

In a moment when voters increasingly reward populist firebrands, Becerra presents as calm, workmanlike, and maybe a little boring.

— Ben Paviour August 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026
If the conservative base continues to demand ideological purity, pushing polarizing firebrands into a general election, the result will always be an immediate, lopsided blowout.

— Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of firebrands

Noun

The faux outrage was egged on by professional right-wing provocateurs like Robby Starbuck, Benny Johnson and a leading investor in MAGA darling Steak n’ Shake.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Global organizations navigate a complex landscape, prompting boards to evolve beyond traditional oversight into strategic provocateurs.

— Anna Marks, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of provocateurs

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demagogues

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“Demagogues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demagogues. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of demagogues

noun

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