1
Core meaning
A political leader who gains support by exploiting popular fears, prejudices, or emotions rather than using reasoned argument.
Example
The historian portrays the leader as a demagogue who exploited economic anxiety.
demagogue
/ˈdeməɡɒɡ/ · DEM-uh-gognoun
A political leader who gains support by exploiting popular fears, prejudices, or emotions rather than using reasoned argument.
Use demagogue to express this relationship precisely: a political leader who gains support by exploiting popular fears, prejudices, or emotions rather than using reasoned argument.
What demagogue Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common noun frame
Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.
Example
A demagogue may offer simple enemies instead of workable policies.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.
Example
The speech appealed to prejudice in a manner characteristic of a demagogue.
Use demagogue Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The historian portrays the leader as a demagogue who exploited economic anxiety.
A demagogue may offer simple enemies instead of workable policies.
The speech appealed to prejudice in a manner characteristic of a demagogue.
Precision Matters
Demagogue overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
demagogue
vs.Means a political leader who gains support by exploiting popular fears, prejudices, or emotions rather than using reasoned argument.
despot
Means a ruler who holds and exercises absolute power, especially in a cruel or oppressive way.
demagogue
vs.Means a political leader who gains support by exploiting popular fears, prejudices, or emotions rather than using reasoned argument.
monarch
Means a sovereign ruler, such as a king or queen, who usually inherits the position.
demagogue
vs.Means a political leader who gains support by exploiting popular fears, prejudices, or emotions rather than using reasoned argument.
pundit
Means a commentator presented as an expert who regularly offers opinions in public or through the media.
demagogue
vs.Means a political leader who gains support by exploiting popular fears, prejudices, or emotions rather than using reasoned argument.
proponent
Means a person who supports a claim or course of action.
Test demagogue in Context
The politician exploits prejudice and emotion to gain support.
1
By blaming every problem on one minority group, the candidate behaved like a ___.