as in agitators
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-rousers
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
And still the Swedish rabble-rousers endure.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
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
And still the Swedish rabble-rousers endure.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
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-rousers
Noun
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In January, a DHS official sent a memo to some federal immigration agents temporarily assigned to Minneapolis instructing them to collect personal information about protesters and agitators, including license plates, identifications and images, according to CNN reporting.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
10 June 2026
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Shocking video captured the moments anti-ICE agitators were arrested outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, Friday, during riotous confrontations.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Cuba’s nationalization wave began soon after Fidel Castro’s rebels took control of the island in 1959.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Gangs, rebels, and soldiers started massacring elephants, sometimes from military helicopters.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Mexico supporters arrived at the stadium today in Mexico City draped in the national flag ahead of the opening World Cup match against South Africa.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
At previous tournaments, some teams and supporters have appeared happy just to enjoy the experience with little hope of progressing beyond the group stage.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The Buffaloes are, as promised by promoters, a power conference foe for the Aztecs in the inaugural game honoring San Diego native Bill Walton, who passed away in May 2024.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
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And not just us, but also promoters and agents who were willing to give us a chance.—
Selena Fragassi,
SPIN,
10 June 2026
Noun
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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
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Alliances with independents and provocateurs can bring younger crowds to the traditional news fold in an era when such viewership is not guaranteed.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But those standards can be easily stretched by demagogues, and a simple majority on the committee is enough to ban a party, though a panel of nine Supreme Court justices can overturn the decision on appeal.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.—
Alma Hernandez,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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After Daft Punk’s rise from underground dance music heroes to chart-topping pop insurgents, Bangalter followed different muses in different directions.—
Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
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That legacy includes crushing both hyperinflation and the Maoist insurgents of the Shining Path, who bathed Peru in blood in the 1980s and 1990s.—
Simeon Tegel,
NPR,
6 June 2026
Noun
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And in the middle of the Iran war, its proponents fear that could pose a major national security risk.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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This new age of beauty, proponents said, is about keeping your skin fresh in the long term rather than freaking about the appearance of aging in the present.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rabble-rousers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabble-rousers. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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