RABBLE-ROUSERS Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

rabble-rousers

noun

plural of rabble-rouser

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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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-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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabble-rousers

Noun

Videos showed police beating back agitators with batons and deploying anti-riot ordnance as the demonstrators chanted against the country's conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in a massive political rally.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
White attributed most of the hateful comments to online agitators rather than true WNBA or Indiana Fever fans.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of agitators

Noun

Part of the outbreak is unfolding in a major city and humanitarian hub, Goma, that rebels backed by neighboring Rwanda seized over a year ago, further complicating the response.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
In Syria, Qatar was a main political sponsor of the opposition to then-President Bashar Assad and led calls to increase the flow of weapons to the Syrian rebels.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of rebels

Noun

While Rodriguez and other supporters have pushed to preserve the unit, critics of expanding Sheriff’s Office funding argue that the county should instead invest in social and community services.

— Reeti Malhotra July 13, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Opposing fans and supporters alike have hurled racist abuse at Mbappé.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

Definition of supporters

Noun

Veteran rave promoters envision Origin as a 1,000-capacity, Blade Runner–style warehouse with modular patio stages, offering daytime community events that transition into intimate Afro-house and hard-rave nights.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Platner’s promoters were excited by his transgressive personality.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Definition of promoters

Noun

Global organizations navigate a complex landscape, prompting boards to evolve beyond traditional oversight into strategic provocateurs.

— Anna Marks, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
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

Definition of provocateurs

Noun

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
But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.

— Alma Hernandez, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

Definition of demagogues

Noun

According to Chaudhry, insurgents have carried out three major attacks across the province since Monday.

— Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The establishment’s theory of the case has always been that popular insurgents are too risky, too unpolished, too outside the lane.

— Tad Devine, Fortune, 7 July 2026

Definition of insurgents

Noun

Some proponents of the tax had criticized the bill as a compromise measure that leaves the difficult political decision of whether to enact a tax for the next governor and Legislature.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Their proponents argued that taking action on immigration was popular in the state, though all but one of their bills failed.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

Definition of proponents

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“Rabble-rousers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabble-rousers. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of rabble-rousers

noun

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