demagogue

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛməɡɑɡ/

The English word “demagogue” has 3 meanings listed here.

noun

A political orator or leader, especially in a democratic system, who gains favor by pandering to or exciting the passions and prejudices of the audience rather than by using rational argument.
A leader of the people.

verb

To speak or act in the manner of a demagogue; to speak about (an issue) in the manner of a demagogue.

Etymology

From Middle French démagogue, from Ancient Greek δημαγωγός (dēmagōgós, “popular leader, mob leader”), from δῆμος (dêmos, “people”) + ἀγωγός (agōgós, “guide”). By surface analysis, dem- + -agogue.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.