
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.
nounDemagogue
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
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.
