demagogue

noun

ˈde-mə-ˌgäg How to pronounce demagogue (audio)
variants also demagog
Definition of demagoguenext
as in agitator
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent that politician is just a demagogue who preys upon people's fears and prejudices

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 demagogue Leftist demagogues specialize in lose-lose-lose policies. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 When the populist demagogue Willie Stark orders Burden, journalist turned gumshoe, to dig up dirt on a local judge, Burden demurs; certainly there are no skeletons in the office of the good judge. — Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 4 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 See All Example Sentences for demagogue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demagogue
  1. agitator
  2. firebrand
  3. rebel
  4. promoter
  5. proponent
  6. provocateur
  7. insurgent
  8. apostle
Noun
  • Across the country, agitators on the left and the right are increasingly flirting with antisemitic tropes, conspiracy theories and in-jokes to bring in new followers.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
Definition of agitator
Noun
  • Widdecombe’s death has shaken British politics, silencing a longtime conservative voice from Parliament and Europe who later became a Reform UK firebrand remembered by friends for personal warmth and sharp humor.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • The 25-year-old firebrand made a critical tag at the plate to prevent the go-ahead run from scoring in the ninth inning and found himself in the middle of an incident where the benches briefly cleared in the 10th.
    — Kyle Glaser, Oc Register, 7 July 2026
Definition of firebrand
Noun
  • In one of the videos, the rebels were seen opening fire on some soldiers lying on the ground.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • Many rebels believed the burden of repaying the public debt fell disproportionately on common people while benefiting elites.
    — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of rebel
Noun
  • Reps for Jay-Z and Live Nation, the concert’s promoter, did not immediately respond to Variety’s requests for comment.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • Trufero, the main promoter of this change, said the restaurant staff did not object to the ruling.
    — Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of promoter
Noun
  • Some proponents suggest that prediction markets could be an alternative to insurance, especially as insurers pull out of regions at high-risk for wildfire.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Bell won the All-Star Race last year and was a massive proponent of North Wilkesboro Speedway landing on the points schedule.
    — Alex Zietlow July 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • The Onion is pressing ahead with its takeover of InfoWars, the conspiracy-laden media empire formerly owned by far-right provocateur Alex Jones.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The height of her popularity came during her 12-year relationship with French provocateur Serge Gainsbourg.
    — Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
Definition of provocateur
Noun
  • But Democratic leaders fear that the insurgent candidates risk blowing winnable races for Democrats with messages considered too radical for most voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Across the country, insurgent candidates-—-perhaps most notably Zohran Mamdani in New York City—have found traction by presenting themselves as unapologetic fighters willing to challenge both Republicans and their own party’s leadership.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of insurgent
Noun
  • Camino de Santiago blends history, spirituality and scenery on the route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the resting place of the apostle Saint James.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • The Camino de Santiago in Spain Blending history, spirituality and scenery, the Camino de Santiago leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, said to be the resting place of the apostle Saint James.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of apostle

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demagogue
demagogues
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Cite this Entry

“Demagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demagogue. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of demagogue for Spanish Speakers

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