POPULIST Synonyms: 8 Similar and Opposite Words

populist

noun

Definition of populist next

as in socialist

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

snob
snoot

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 populist With revenues soaring, the late President Hugo Chávez, a left-wing populist, lavished cash on Venezuelan masses long excluded from the petroleum windfall. —

Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026 But a Best Picture showdown with One Battle After Another helps Sinners maintain its populist cred. —

Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026 Kikuyu Land also covers the current political chaos in the country, as Kenyan president William Ruto, a former populist, has become widely criticized and has turned increasingly authoritarian. —

Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Jan. 2026 The rise of the populist far right is not just an American political phenomenon, after all. —

Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for populist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for populist

socialist

Noun

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who took office in January, made the pledge during a speech to celebrate his first 100 days in office.

— Tim Craig, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Others view their work as part of a broader resurgence in liberalism in New York City that culminated with the election of Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as mayor last year.

— TIM CRAIG THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026