demagogue
Use Demagogue in a sentence
əˌgɒg, -ˌgɔg noun
1.
a person, especially 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.
verb (used with object)
3.
to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.
verb (used without object)
4.
to speak or act like a demagogue.
Also, dem·a·gog.
Origin:
1640–50; < Greek dēmagōgós a leader of the people, popular leader, equivalent to dêm(os) people + agōgós leading, guiding; see -agogue
1640–50; < Greek dēmagōgós a leader of the people, popular leader, equivalent to dêm(os) people + agōgós leading, guiding; see -agogue
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To demagogue
Collins
World English Dictionary
demagogue or sometimes (US) demagog (ˈdɛməˌɡɒɡ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a political agitator who appeals with crude oratory to the prejudice and passions of the mob |
| 2. | (esp in the ancient world) any popular political leader or orator |
| [C17: from Greek dēmagōgos people's leader, from dēmos people + agein to lead] | |
| demagog or sometimes (US) demagog | |
| —n | |
| [C17: from Greek dēmagōgos people's leader, from dēmos people + agein to lead] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Demagogue
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is democracy. Does it mean:
| government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. |
| unit of length equal to 10 meters or 32.8 feet |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
demagogue
1640s, from Gk. demagogos "leader of the people," from demos "people" (see demotic) + agogos "leader," from agein "to lead" (see act). A term of disparagement ever since it was first used in Athens, 5c. B.C.E. As a verb, attested by 1980s, Amer.Eng.
Related: Demagogic (1831); demagoguery (1866); demagogy (1650s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
At best he is a distastefully cynical demagogue.
There is sometimes the accusation that officials in the enforcement business are tempted to kind of demagogue or overdo it.
Always placing blame and finding fault is called being a demagogue.
The demagogue is the besetting plague of democracy.
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