Demagogue
noun
A political leader who tries to get support by making false claims and promises and using arguments based on emotion rather than reason.
The politician was a gifted demagogue, using fear and prejudices to win the crowd over.
Often appears as...
- populist demagogue
- dangerous demagogue
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A political leader who tries to get support by making false claims and promises and using arguments based on emotion rather than reason.
The politician was a gifted demagogue, using fear and prejudices to win the crowd over.
Often appears as...
- populist demagogue
- dangerous demagogue
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Appeal
Demagogues often appeal to emotions like fear or anger rather than logical arguments.
The demagogue stirred the crowd by playing on their economic insecurities.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Demagogue' has a negative connotation, implying manipulation and dishonesty in leadership.
Journalists described the leader as a demagogue after his deceitful campaign speeches.
Pro Tip 3/3Political Context
While it can be used broadly, 'demagogue' is mostly used in political contexts.
During the debate, one candidate accused the other of being a demagogue.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Appeal
Demagogues often appeal to emotions like fear or anger rather than logical arguments.
The demagogue stirred the crowd by playing on their economic insecurities.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Demagogue' has a negative connotation, implying manipulation and dishonesty in leadership.
Journalists described the leader as a demagogue after his deceitful campaign speeches.
Pro Tip 3/3Political Context
While it can be used broadly, 'demagogue' is mostly used in political contexts.
During the debate, one candidate accused the other of being a demagogue.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Appeal
Demagogues often appeal to emotions like fear or anger rather than logical arguments.
The demagogue stirred the crowd by playing on their economic insecurities.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Demagogue' has a negative connotation, implying manipulation and dishonesty in leadership.
Journalists described the leader as a demagogue after his deceitful campaign speeches.
Pro Tip 3/3Political Context
While it can be used broadly, 'demagogue' is mostly used in political contexts.
During the debate, one candidate accused the other of being a demagogue.
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Video examples
What if we replaced...
and the political system is distorted by powerful vested interests. I think there's two ways to resolve this paradox. One is to give up on democracy; it doesn't work. Let's elect a populist demagogue who will ignore democratic norms, trample on liberal freedoms and just get things done.
Video examples
Science can answer moral...
about genocide or nuclear proliferation or poverty or any other hugely consequential issue but the demagogues are right about one thing we need a universal conception of human values now what stands in the way of this well one thing to notice is that we we do
Video examples
Shadows of Forgotten...
We will die to protect the carriers of our DNA and turn away from the suffering of those who don't. Kin selection can inspire us to die saving a brother, but it's also the drive exploited by the demagogue and the supremacist,
Video examples
Science can answer moral...
and not about genocide or nuclear proliferation or poverty or any other hugely consequential issue. But the demagogues are right about one We need a universal conception of human values. Now, what stands in the way of this?
Video examples
The revolutionary power...
All these figures, at first glance -- they seem disconnected. But I think they feed each other, and they need each other. And all around the world, when we look at how demagogues talk and how they inspire movements,
Video examples
How to revive your...
That's why I spend my time teaching, preaching and practicing democracy. I have no illusions. All around the world now, people are doubting whether democracy can deliver. Autocrats and demagogues seem emboldened,
Video examples
If trees could speak PIPE...
and empathy and understanding speak louder than demagoguery and apathy. Stories bring us together. Untold stories and entrenched silences keep us apart. But how to tell the stories of humanity and nature
Video examples
We can fight terror...
human rights, freedom of the press and a free and open internet, all around the world. I believe that, ultimately, we can overcome the digitally empowered networks of extremism, demagoguery and hate.
Video examples
We're building a...
In this context, it means that we are the product that's being sold. We need a digital economy where our data and our attention is not for sale to the highest-bidding authoritarian or demagogue.
Video examples
What is McCarthyism? And...
Perhaps, though a small one. But the reaction to it was so extreme that it caused far more damage than the threat itself. And if new demagogues appeared in uncertain times
Video examples
What if we replaced...
and the political system is distorted by powerful vested interests. I think there's two ways to resolve this paradox. One is to give up on democracy; it doesn't work. Let's elect a populist demagogue who will ignore democratic norms, trample on liberal freedoms and just get things done.
Video examples
Science can answer moral...
about genocide or nuclear proliferation or poverty or any other hugely consequential issue but the demagogues are right about one thing we need a universal conception of human values now what stands in the way of this well one thing to notice is that we we do
Video examples
Shadows of Forgotten...
We will die to protect the carriers of our DNA and turn away from the suffering of those who don't. Kin selection can inspire us to die saving a brother, but it's also the drive exploited by the demagogue and the supremacist,
Video examples
Science can answer moral...
and not about genocide or nuclear proliferation or poverty or any other hugely consequential issue. But the demagogues are right about one We need a universal conception of human values. Now, what stands in the way of this?
Video examples
The revolutionary power...
All these figures, at first glance -- they seem disconnected. But I think they feed each other, and they need each other. And all around the world, when we look at how demagogues talk and how they inspire movements,
Video examples
How to revive your...
That's why I spend my time teaching, preaching and practicing democracy. I have no illusions. All around the world now, people are doubting whether democracy can deliver. Autocrats and demagogues seem emboldened,
Video examples
If trees could speak PIPE...
and empathy and understanding speak louder than demagoguery and apathy. Stories bring us together. Untold stories and entrenched silences keep us apart. But how to tell the stories of humanity and nature
Video examples
We can fight terror...
human rights, freedom of the press and a free and open internet, all around the world. I believe that, ultimately, we can overcome the digitally empowered networks of extremism, demagoguery and hate.
Video examples
We're building a...
In this context, it means that we are the product that's being sold. We need a digital economy where our data and our attention is not for sale to the highest-bidding authoritarian or demagogue.
Video examples
What is McCarthyism? And...
Perhaps, though a small one. But the reaction to it was so extreme that it caused far more damage than the threat itself. And if new demagogues appeared in uncertain times
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Eric Liu
American Writer
From the right, you get demagogues shouting about brown-skinned anchor babies and clamoring to deport the undocumented. From the left, you get advocacy for the oppressed but otherwise, when it comes to national civic identity, mainly silence.
Quote examples
Nathan Englander
American Writer
The reason people get afraid of writing real, honest journalism and fiction, and the reason corrupted people and demagogues are afraid of journalism and fiction and poetry across the world, is because it is a subversive form.
Quote examples
Ron Johnson
American
We have demagogues on all sides of the political spectrum. It's not helpful. It's destructive. It's harmful. So, I don't like demagoguery whether it comes from the left, it comes from the right.
Quote examples
Michael J. Knowles
American Author
Public crises, particularly those concerning life and death, offer demagogues ample opportunity to amass more power.
Quote examples
Neil Bush
American Businessman
Trump's anti-China trade demagoguery may work in firing up his base, but it does a disservice to the truth.
Quote examples
Mads Mikkelsen
Danish Actor
Machiavelli had some cold tricks for people who wanted to be demagogues and wanted to take over the world.
Quote examples
Hamza Yusuf
American Clergyman
Where you don't have people who have strong intellectual capacity, you get demagoguery.
Quote examples
Cory Booker
American Politician
Are there any monuments built to demagogues? I just don't think so.
Quote examples
Steve Schmidt
American Businessman
There's never been an era absent of demagogues.
Quote examples
David Brock
American Author
You never discount a demagogue.
Quote examples
Eric Liu
American Writer
From the right, you get demagogues shouting about brown-skinned anchor babies and clamoring to deport the undocumented. From the left, you get advocacy for the oppressed but otherwise, when it comes to national civic identity, mainly silence.
Quote examples
Nathan Englander
American Writer
The reason people get afraid of writing real, honest journalism and fiction, and the reason corrupted people and demagogues are afraid of journalism and fiction and poetry across the world, is because it is a subversive form.
Quote examples
Ron Johnson
American
We have demagogues on all sides of the political spectrum. It's not helpful. It's destructive. It's harmful. So, I don't like demagoguery whether it comes from the left, it comes from the right.
Quote examples
Michael J. Knowles
American Author
Public crises, particularly those concerning life and death, offer demagogues ample opportunity to amass more power.
Quote examples
Neil Bush
American Businessman
Trump's anti-China trade demagoguery may work in firing up his base, but it does a disservice to the truth.
Quote examples
Mads Mikkelsen
Danish Actor
Machiavelli had some cold tricks for people who wanted to be demagogues and wanted to take over the world.
Quote examples
Hamza Yusuf
American Clergyman
Where you don't have people who have strong intellectual capacity, you get demagoguery.
Quote examples
Cory Booker
American Politician
Are there any monuments built to demagogues? I just don't think so.
Quote examples
Steve Schmidt
American Businessman
There's never been an era absent of demagogues.
Quote examples
David Brock
American Author
You never discount a demagogue.
Example 1 of 10
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