pander — to gratify or indulge an unreasonable desire or habit or a morally questionable taste
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to gratify or indulge an unreasonable desire or habit or a morally questionable taste
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpændər/
Example Sentences
- The TV show pandered to viewers' love of drama by adding more ridiculous plot twists.
- Don't pander to your cat's demands for treats every five minutes.
- The magazine was criticized for pandering to stereotypes rather than challenging them.
pander
VERB[/ˈpændər/]
to gratify or indulge an unreasonable desire or habit or a morally questionable taste
Feeding questionable desires for profit
He panders as lies meander, spreading slander!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Pandarus, a figure in Greek mythology who served as a go-between for the lovers Troilus and Cressida during the Trojan War. Shakespeare's dramatic treatment of this character popularized the term, transforming the proper name into a common noun describing someone who procures illicit favors or caters to base desires.
Breakdown
Pandarus (Greek mythological figure name) > pander (common noun). The proper noun was generalized through literary usage to denote the act of facilitating or profiting from another's desires.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The TV show pandered to viewers' love of drama by adding more ridiculous plot twists.”
“Don't pander to your cat's demands for treats every five minutes.”
“The magazine was criticized for pandering to stereotypes rather than challenging them.”
“He refused to pander to the boss's unreasonable expectations.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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