What is another word for demagogue?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛmɐɡˌɒɡ] (IPA)

A demagogue is a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational arguments. There are several synonyms for the term demagogue, including demagogic, populistic, demagogy, rabble-rouser, agitator, firebrand, and incendiary. These words all describe someone who seeks to inflame passions and emotions in order to gain power and control. These types of political leaders can be very dangerous, as they often manipulate their followers with false promises and unrealistic expectations. It's important to be aware of these tactics and to be wary of leaders who resort to such tactics in order to gain support.

Synonyms for Demagogue:

What are the hypernyms for Demagogue?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the opposite words for demagogue?

A demagogue is a political leader who seeks support by appealing to people's prejudices, emotions, and ignorance rather than using rational arguments. Antonyms for the word "demagogue" would be leaders who use critical thinking, logic, and reason to make decisions, rather than relying on irrational tactics. These leaders are typically unbiased, ethical, and honest, and are driven primarily by a desire to serve the greater good, rather than personal ambition or desire for power. Antonyms of the word "demagogue" may include statesmen, philosophs, diplomats, and genuine civil servants who uphold the values of equality, justice, and respect for human rights.

What are the antonyms for Demagogue?

Usage examples for Demagogue

War is a potent demagogue.
"The Orchard of Tears"
Sax Rohmer
With Clotilde, daughter of a highly respectable, but very conventional citizen, Alvan, a Jew and demagogue, a man of widespread and somewhat notorious reputation, falls in love.
"The Three Heron's Feathers"
Hermann Sudermann
There are the rival orators, patriot or demagogue, the frivolous and capricious crowd, the vote of the privilege of dining in the town-hall.
"Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius"
Samuel Dill

Famous quotes with Demagogue

  • A demagogue is a person with whom we disagree as to which gang should mismanage the country.
    Don Marquis
  • The American doctrinaire is the converse of the American demagogue, and, in this way, is scarcely less injurious to the public. The first deals in poetry, the last in cant. He is as much a visionary on one side, as the extreme theoretical democrat is a visionary on the other.
    James Fenimore Cooper
  • If a poet has any obligation toward society, it is to write well. Being in the minority, he has no other choice. Failing this duty, he sinks into oblivion. Society, on the other hand, has no obligation toward the poet. A majority by definition, society thinks of itself as having other options than reading verses, no matter how well written. Its failure to do so results in its sinking to that level of locution at which society falls easy prey to a demagogue or a tyrant. This is society's own equivalent of oblivion.
    Joseph Brodsky
  • Yes, I have cherished my "demagogue" role. I know that societies often have killed the people who have helped to change those societies. And if I can die having bought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help to destroy the racist cancer that is maligant in the body of America - then, all of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine.
    Malcom X" (
  • A majority of Republican caucusgoers are white, native-born and believe that electing a demagogue will make American white again.
    Timothy Egan

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