as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
rabble-rousers inciting hungry people in breadlines to demand social justice
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Recent Examples of rabble-rouser
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
But the hard-right caucus, typically the House rabble-rousers and thorns in Johnson’s side, are all-in on the rescissions package as vocal supporters of DOGE.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2025
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
But the hard-right caucus, typically the House rabble-rousers and thorns in Johnson’s side, are all-in on the rescissions package as vocal supporters of DOGE.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabble-rouser
Noun
-
These are Loyalists who have been killed by rebels.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Cabrera is accused of having a cockfighting training ring, a dead rooster in a cage, a rooster agitator (a device used to incite fighting), a gun, rooster vitamins, syringes and medication on his property.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The 2026 State of the Union speech stands in contrast, a speech by a mendacious demagogue who has degraded his listeners by debauching their instincts.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
-
After failing as an entrepreneur in America, and after an interlude in Asia in an attempt (also failed) to build a railroad on the Vietnam-China border, Morès returned to France to pursue a political career as a populist leader and an antisemitic demagogue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
All in all, however, promoters have definitely come up with a great lineup for 2026.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of just relying on the network’s standard correspondents, the network’s broadcast seemed to lean equally on Free Press favorites and proponents for Iran strikes.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In practice, the loans function much like a tax – repayments are collected through the tax system – and proponents argue that presenting them with a future tax obligation is less stressful than being saddled with a large debt.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pair of social media provocateurs post their bizarre arguments and interactions with everyday New Yorkers, which usually end with them being chased down the street and out of bodegas and residential buildings.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The great Russ Meyer and Radley Metzger are represented with double features, as is European provocateur Jess Franco.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Just about everyone agreed that regardless of the winner, supporters of both candidates should throw their support behind the winning candidate.—
Samuel O’Neal
March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Over time, the remark evolved into a slogan that became shorthand for the Rangers’ reputation for lone, forceful law enforcement — a legacy that supporters celebrate and critics say oversimplifies a more complicated history.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rabble-rouser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabble-rouser. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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