SATVocab Logo
D/Demagogue
All D words
Visual memory aid for Demagogue

Demagogue

A political leader who seeks power by appealing to the desires, fears, and prejudices of the public rather than by rational argument or evidence.

noun
💡

Imagine This

Picture a charismatic street speaker who loudly blames a scapegoat for all the community's problems, waving a flag and stirring up fear, while offering simple, sensational promises instead of evidence-based solutions.

🔊

Sounds Like

DEM-uh-GOG

👀

Looks Like

Looks similar to words with the demo- prefix (people), such as democracy or demographic, though its meaning is about leadership through emotion rather than governance.

📝

Remember This

Etymology comes from Greek demos (people) + agogos (leader). Historically, demagogues have wielded rhetoric to manipulate large crowds rather than lead with principled policy.

📚

Other Forms

demagoguesnoun (plural)
demagogicadjective
demagoguerynoun
🔗

Connect With

rabble-rouser, firebrand, demagoguery, propaganda, rhetoric, populism

📌

Note

This term carries a strong negative connotation. Remember that to demagogue is to behave as a demagogue; the noun refers to the person, while the verb form (to demagogue) is less common but correct.

SATVocab Logo

Master SAT vocabulary with visual memory techniques ✨

© 2026 SATVocab.com - All rights reserved