demagogue

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“
The art of the demagogue is the art of the parrot; he must utter some senseless catchword again and again, working on the suggestibility of the crowd.

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Definitions (8)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. noun A leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace.
  2. noun A leader of the common people in ancient times.
  3. transitive verb Usage Problem To speak about (an issue, for example) in the manner of a demagogue.
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Examples (37)

  • This issue is just too easy to demagogue, they won't give up that opportunity. —  Elections Blog - The Stump
  • I've always used (and seen) "demagogue," which is allegedly the British variant. —  Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium - Recent changes [en]
  • If there is a word that means the opposite of "demagogue," Obama defined it tonight by devoting his speech to detailing the difficulties without minimizing them while stressing the steps needed to save jobs, save homes and get the banking system working again. —  The Moderate Voice
  • Shinawatra was frequently derided as a demagogue, wannabee tyrant, and corrupt thug during his rule. —  Tyee - Home
  • However if you are in charge of the learning of young minds it's not the fact that you are calling Bush and Cheyney demagogues but the fact that you are using such inflamatory words such as demagogue or neo-con's at all.
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Greek dēmagōgos, popular leader : dēmos, people; see dā- in Indo-European roots + agōgos, leading (from agein, to lead; see ag- in Indo-European roots).

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from French démagogue = Spanish Portuguese Italian demagogo = Dutch demagoog = G. Danish Swedish demagog = Russian demagogŭ, from New Latin demagogus, from Greek δημαγωγός, a leader of the people, from δῆμος, the people, the populace, + ἀγωγός, a leader, from α\γειν, lead: see agent, act.
 

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/ˈdɛməgɑg/
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