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demagoguea political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdeməɡɑːɡ/

Example Sentences

  • The history teacher warned students about how demagogues manipulate public opinion through fear.
  • My uncle thinks every politician is a demagogue, which makes family dinners quite awkward.
  • The social media influencer turned into a demagogue, using memes to promote extreme political views.

demagogue

NOUN

[/ˈdeməɡɑːɡ/]

a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument

The demagogue whips the crowd into fury with wild promises and pointed fingers.
💡 Concept

The demagogue whips the crowd into fury with wild promises and pointed fingers.

The demagogue ignores the catalog, dismissing rational dialog!
🎵 Rhyme

The demagogue ignores the catalog, dismissing rational dialog!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈdeməɡɑːɡ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈdeməɡɒɡ/

🌳Etymology

Rootdemos
Suffix-agogue

Origin

From ancient Greek 'demagogos', originally meaning 'leader of the people' in a neutral sense. Over time, it developed negative connotations as it came to describe politicians who manipulate popular emotions rather than appeal to reason.

Breakdown

demo- (people) + -agogue (leader/guide, from 'agein' meaning to lead)

🎵Rhyme

catalogdialoganalog
catalog
dialog
analog

🔗Collocations

populist demagogue
demagogue's rhetoric
dangerous demagogue
demagogue appeals to
rise of demagogues

📝Examples

The history teacher warned students about how demagogues manipulate public opinion through fear.

😄 Fun example

My uncle thinks every politician is a demagogue, which makes family dinners quite awkward.

😄 Fun example

The social media influencer turned into a demagogue, using memes to promote extreme political views.

Ancient Athens struggled with demagogues who promised citizens everything they wanted to hear.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

agitatorrabble-rouserfirebrandinciterprovocateur

Antonyms

statesmanpeacemakerdiplomat

Related

populistrhetoricpropagandamanipulationdemocracy

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