as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
rabble-rousers inciting hungry people in breadlines to demand social justice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 rabble-rouser
Being put on some list of rabble-rousers?
—
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Columbia University's new president is already facing opposition from anti-Israel rabble-rousers, who have condemned her for previous actions taken against leftist encampments at her last college.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The rich rabble-rouser simply shifts to his next crusade.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
The president recently called U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a progressive Democratic rabble-rouser, to hash out this idea.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
And still the Swedish rabble-rousers endure.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Bryce Young makes the placid Brock Purdy look like a rabble-rouser at the podium.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025
There are also rabble-rousers at the site, yelling expletives as heavily armed federal officers survey them on the sidewalk from a perch up on the roof.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
Most of these commentators, influencers, and rabble-rousers operate outside the mainstream-media spotlight, yet their influence is vast, shaping how the next generation thinks about race, gender, government, and truth itself.
—Clara Molot, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Columbia University's new president is already facing opposition from anti-Israel rabble-rousers, who have condemned her for previous actions taken against leftist encampments at her last college.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The rich rabble-rouser simply shifts to his next crusade.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
The president recently called U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a progressive Democratic rabble-rouser, to hash out this idea.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
And still the Swedish rabble-rousers endure.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Bryce Young makes the placid Brock Purdy look like a rabble-rouser at the podium.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025
There are also rabble-rousers at the site, yelling expletives as heavily armed federal officers survey them on the sidewalk from a perch up on the roof.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
Most of these commentators, influencers, and rabble-rousers operate outside the mainstream-media spotlight, yet their influence is vast, shaping how the next generation thinks about race, gender, government, and truth itself.
—Clara Molot, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabble-rouser
Noun
-
Its leaders have been working to rebuild relations with Arab and Western countries that had shunned Syria under former President Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by rebels, who then installed a new government.—
Abby Sewell,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
As the years tick by, the lips become a bit of a rebel.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All hell broke loose at Thursday's press conference when Khamzat Chimaev and firebrand Sean Strickland nearly turned a routine face-off into a street fight.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Since arriving on the scene almost a decade ago, the trio have presented themselves as firebrands, ready to stick it to an establishment seeking to strangle the last remnants of 20th century Irish republicanism.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Anti-Israel agitators clashed with law enforcement outside a Manhattan synagogue on Tuesday night as pro-Israel demonstrators waved Israeli and American flags nearby.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Birdbaths that have small fountains or agitators also keep the water rippling.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Those business partners were doing that hard piece of convincing managers, agents, and promoters to take the risk — and the promoters finally agreed.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Many proponents expressed frustration with the school board and administration as multiyear efforts to bring Arabic language instruction to District 230 appeared to stall, culminating with the recent resignation of the only Arab American member of the school board.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
These excess profit taxes are not always as efficacious as proponents hope for.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Just a funny parasocial back-and-forth between some of the most passionate fans in sports and one of the best provocateurs the SEC has seen since Steve Spurrier.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
Right wing provocateur Jack Posobiec in 2022 posted that exact message on Twitter, though he was never indicted because that would of course have been ridiculous.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The clip, shared on X, appears to show Zahra Billoo, executive director of the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations CAIR-CA, discussing how supporters should approach expressing controversial sentiments in public versus private settings.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
Liverpool have revised plans to increase ticket prices following protests and lengthy discussions with the club’s supporters’ board.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rabble-rouser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabble-rouser. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
