[dem-uh-gog, -gawg] 
noun, verb, -gogued, -gogu⋅ing.| 1. | a person, esp. an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people. |
| 2. | (in ancient times) a leader of the people. |
| 3. | to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc. |
| 4. | to speak or act like a demagogue. |
| dem·a·gog (děm'ə-gôg', -gŏg') n. & v. Variant of demagogue. |
| dem·a·gogue also dem·a·gog (děm'ə-gôg', -gŏg') n.
Usage Problem To speak about (an issue, for example) in the manner of a demagogue. [Greek dēmagōgos, popular leader : dēmos, people; see dā- in Indo-European roots + agōgos, leading (from agein, to lead; see ag- in Indo-European roots).] Usage Note: Among the nouns that the Usage Panel is loath to see used as a verb is demagogue, meaning "to speak about something in the manner of a demagogue." Ninety-four percent reject it in the sentence The President will demagogue Medicare, unwilling to acknowledge that fundamental reforms need to be made. Resistance to the use of traditional nouns as verbs is sometimes strong, especially when the novel usages are associated with business or bureaucratic jargon. |