variants
also demagog
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
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Recent Examples of demagogue
Where is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Zohran Mamdani and the rest of the radical fringe left who take every opportunity to demagogue and slander Israel, and yet not one word about Iran?
—
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
In turn, the erosion of trust has weakened the social contract that sustains representative government, leaving democracies more vulnerable to populist demagogues, institutional paralysis, and the gradual normalization of authoritarian alternatives.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Trump can be seen as a bastion of free trade for the Silicon Valley capitalists, a beacon of white Christian America to the heartland Evangelicals, and a fascist demagogue to the blood and soil nationalists.
—Ryan Broderick, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
Studies show that as a result of these cycles, Americans on the left and right have developed an exaggerated sense of the other side’s hostility, exactly as some political demagogues intend.
—Adam G. Klein, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demagogue
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
In turn, the erosion of trust has weakened the social contract that sustains representative government, leaving democracies more vulnerable to populist demagogues, institutional paralysis, and the gradual normalization of authoritarian alternatives.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Trump can be seen as a bastion of free trade for the Silicon Valley capitalists, a beacon of white Christian America to the heartland Evangelicals, and a fascist demagogue to the blood and soil nationalists.
—Ryan Broderick, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
Studies show that as a result of these cycles, Americans on the left and right have developed an exaggerated sense of the other side’s hostility, exactly as some political demagogues intend.
—Adam G. Klein, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demagogue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demagogue
Noun
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On March 1st, the right-wing online agitator Ian Miles Cheong posted a video from a Dubai club where uniformed employees danced with sparklers and liquor bottles.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2026
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They could be trapped in the door’s rubber seal or under the agitator, for example.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The conservative firebrand has represented a Central Texas congressional district since 2019, raising his profile through high-profile clashes in Congress before entering the race in December with the highest name recognition in the field.—
Philip Jankowski
Austin Bureau,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Conventional political wisdom has it that Talarico was the stronger Democratic candidate in November, especially if Republicans nominate Paxton, a conservative firebrand who has weathered allegations of corruption and infidelity over the years.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These are Loyalists who have been killed by rebels.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Both cases, including one that got as far as the Supreme Court, underscore the determination of AI promoters and uses to infiltrate the new technology deeper into society.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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All in all, however, promoters have definitely come up with a great lineup for 2026.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Now, the hospital, which treats mostly people involved with the justice system, is expanding to alleviate the county’s overlapping mental health and homelessness crisis, in what proponents described as a more compassionate approach than in the past.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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But if that money isn’t enough, or if the proponents don’t identify any programs to cut, the ballot language would have to include a warning that the proposal would likely require cuts to Medicaid and school funding.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The violence erupted during an anti-Islam protest organized by a right-wing provocateur that was dwarfed by more than 100 counterprotesters, officials said.—
Tricia Escobedo,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
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Ye’s spokesperson, far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, defended his boss outside the courtroom.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That kind of chaos could easily spill over Iran’s borders, and not just by land; the Persian Gulf is narrow, and would not pose much of an obstacle to terrorists or insurgents who cross it in speedboats.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
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Paxton will counter that Texas runoffs often reward insurgents.—
Gromer Jeffers Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The New Testament canon usually includes 27 books, including the four gospels that describe Jesus’ life – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – and Acts, which describes the works of the apostles who continued Jesus’ ministry after his death.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
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This is the final day of Lent for Christians and focuses on the remembrance of both the foot washing and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the apostles.—
Chris Sims,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demagogue. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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