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demagogue

dem·a·gogue [ démmə gòg ] or dem·a·gog [ démmə gòg ]


noun  (plural dem·a·gogues) (plural dem·a·gogs)
Definition:
 
1. emotive dictator: a political leader who gains power by appealing to people's emotions, instincts, and prejudices in a way that is considered manipulative and dangerous

2. popular leader in ancient times: in ancient times, a popular leader who represented the ordinary people



verb  (past and past participle dem·a·gogued, present participle dem·a·gogu·ing, 3rd person present singular dem·a·gogues) (past dem·a·goged, present participle dem·a·gog·ing, 3rd person present singular dem·a·gogs)
Definition:
 
1. intransitive verb engage in demagoguery: to act like a demagogue in gaining power by appealing to people's emotions and prejudices

2. transitive and intransitive verb elicit emotive bias on issues: to elicit people's emotional and prejudicial biases on an issue

[Mid-17th century. < Greek dēmagōgos "leader of the people" < agōgos "leader" < agein "lead"]

dem·a·gog·ism noun
dem·a·gogu·er·y noun

Word Usage

See functional shift.

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