Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.
Check the workbook
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.
🧠
Study Deeper
Examples
- The demagogue rose to power by blaming outsiders for the city's problems.
- Instead of presenting facts, the demagogue relied on fear and inflammatory rhetoric to sway voters.
Synonyms
rabble-rouserfirebrandpropagandisthuckster
Antonyms
statesmanreformerrationalist
Etymology
From Greek demos (people) and agogos (leader), via Latin demagogus; originally meant a leader who guided the people, but now carries a negative sense of manipulating public opinion.
Mnemonic
DEMO + AGOGUE: A demagogue is a leader of the people who makes the crowd agog (excited and highly emotional) rather than thinking critically.
How well do you know this word now?
Your choice schedules the next review.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Pervade
verbTo spread through or into every part of something; to be present throughout.
Blight
nounA disease or anything that causes decay, ruin, or injury; especially a plant disease that damages crops.
Tact
nounThe ability to deal with people and delicate situations in a sensitive, considerate, and diplomatic way; choosing words and actions carefully to avoid offense.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
Study beyond this word
Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan
Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.
First-time test takers
Official SAT Guide
Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.
Check the official guidePaid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.