variants
also demagog
as in agitator
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
that politician is just a demagogue who preys upon people's fears and prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demagogue
Many of the systems designed to constrain just such a demagogue have failed, with deferential courts in particular having let the former and soon-to-be president skate on nakedly anti-democratic conduct.
—
Orlando Sentinel and New York Daily News Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
Reagan, who served in the latter years of the Cold War in the 1980s, invoked free trade as a weapon in the fight against authoritarian adversaries abroad and perceived demagogues at home.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024
Where there’s wealth there will be politicians trying to get the wealth, or demagogue the wealth in order to get it, which means businesses must have a Washington strategy.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Yale historian Timothy Snyder’s new book On Freedom explains how institutions of government can protect human rights while his 2017 book On Tyranny explains how demagogues succeed in eroding those pillars of society to be replaced by a tyrant.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demagogue
Orlando Sentinel and New York Daily News Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
Reagan, who served in the latter years of the Cold War in the 1980s, invoked free trade as a weapon in the fight against authoritarian adversaries abroad and perceived demagogues at home.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024
Where there’s wealth there will be politicians trying to get the wealth, or demagogue the wealth in order to get it, which means businesses must have a Washington strategy.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Yale historian Timothy Snyder’s new book On Freedom explains how institutions of government can protect human rights while his 2017 book On Tyranny explains how demagogues succeed in eroding those pillars of society to be replaced by a tyrant.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for demagogue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demagogue
Noun
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The specter of foreign agitators contaminating American political culture loomed large in these debates.—
Rick Baldoz,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
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Neuer argued that the U.S. should act using a similar principle to the one used in cases against anti-Israel agitators, such as Mahmoud Khalil.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His presence in the White House was also a lightning rod for far-right activists, including Laura Loomer, a firebrand right-wing commentator who is known to have Trump’s ear.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 May 2025
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For me, one of those was a photo of comedian Bill Maher—longtime liberal firebrand—having dinner with President Donald Trump, a figure he’s relentlessly criticized for years.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While proponents of a missile corps like Lieberman may welcome such an acquisition, Israel has doubled down on using the air force as its foremost tool for offensive operations.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Roberts pressed one of the bill’s proponents about the measure’s shield law provision, which would prohibit Colorado authorities from removing a child receiving gender-affirming care from a parent’s home because of another state’s laws.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Despite all their years of playing cat-and-mouse, Diego Luna’s rebel spy Cassian Andor and Kyle Soller‘s Empire agent Syril Karn have never had much screen time together — until now.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
7 May 2025
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Israel has repeatedly targeted the rebels in Yemen.—
Elena Becatoros,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Outside of its quarterly earnings, Live Nation of course still faces a DOJ antitrust lawsuit over monopoly allegations as the Justice department called for a breakup of the eponymous concert promoter and ticketing giant Ticketmaster last year.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2025
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The explosive growth of Pokémon has been great for show promoters.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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A couple of weeks ago, the provocateur Laura Loomer got the White House to force the firing of some of his aides, which was a little like taking personnel advice from Lyndon LaRouche.—
The Editors,
National Review,
2 May 2025
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In a flash, the internet provocateur struck with a loaded punch, dropping Styles to the mat.—
Russ Weakland,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Super Bowl champion Eagles are visiting the White House.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Quickly, the defending champions went from title contenders to being out of the race.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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One of them, Pope Leo XIII, elected in 1878, was known as a reformer.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Supporter Arguments Proponents, including fiscal conservatives and some higher education reformers, argue that unlimited federal lending for graduate education has enabled program cost inflation and encouraged students to pursue degrees with questionable return on investment.—
Scott White,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demagogue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demagogue. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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