demagogue
/ˈdeməɡɒɡ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdeməɡɑːɡ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-mə-ˌgäg/ (ame, mw)
demagogue — noun
- demagoguesingular
- demagoguesplural
1. a leader who builds power by stirring up the fears, anger, and prejudices of ord
a leader who builds power by stirring up the fears, anger, and prejudices of ordinary voters, instead of offering honest reasoning or fair policies
Christopher warned his students that every generation must learn to spot a demagogue before voting.
common collocation: spot/recognise a demagogue
The newspaper called the senator a dangerous demagogue who blamed jobless workers on foreign families.
pattern: call/label someone a demagogue
History teachers in Antonia's town often compare wartime demagogues with the calm leaders who replaced them.
Crowds in the central square clapped for the demagogue who promised cheap rice and revenge on rivals.
A skilled demagogue can turn a small complaint about taxes into a screaming protest within a week.
- rabble-rouser
more informal; emphasises stirring crowds rather than seeking office
- agitator
broader — can be any cause, not necessarily a politician
- populist
milder and sometimes neutral; not all populists are demagogues
- firebrand
focuses on fiery rhetoric; doesn't always imply dishonesty
- statesman
implies thoughtful leadership and concern for long-term public good
文法句型
a/the demagogue
用法筆記
Subject is almost always a political figure (or aspiring one). Often appears in evaluative or critical sentences — neutral observers rarely use the word about themselves.
常見錯誤
demagogue — verb
- demagoguepresent simple I / you / we / they
- demagogues3rd person singular
- demagoguing-ing form
- demagoguedpast simple
1. to speak or behave the way a demagogue does — playing on public fear or anger to
to speak or behave the way a demagogue does — playing on public fear or anger to win attention or support
On the campaign trail, Walid accused his opponent of demagoguing whenever oil prices rose.
common gerund/progressive form: 'demagoguing'
The talk show host began to demagogue the moment listeners called in about rising rent.
Senator Iris refused to demagogue, even when her advisers said anger would win her more votes.
Reporters noted that the governor likes to demagogue in front of small-town crowds far from the capital.
- rabble-rouse
rare verb form; very similar meaning, slightly more informal
- grandstand
showy public performance, but without the fear-stirring element
- reason with
appeal to thinking rather than feeling
文法句型
someone demagogues
用法筆記
Mostly American political commentary; British writers prefer the noun. The verb has a strongly negative tone — using it of someone is itself a criticism.
常見錯誤
2. to handle a public topic — such as crime, immigration, or taxes — by exciting pe
to handle a public topic — such as crime, immigration, or taxes — by exciting people's fears or anger about it, rather than discussing it calmly with facts
Critics said Defne demagogued the immigration issue during her first debate by blaming border towns.
object is a hot public topic: 'demagogue + immigration/crime/taxes/the issue'
Mayor Dario was accused of demagoguing rising crime to scare voters into giving him a second term.
passive-like accusation pattern: 'accused of demagoguing X'
Eitan said reporters often demagogue school safety after every accident, no matter how rare the events.
The columnist refuses to demagogue health care, even when honest reporting earns her less attention.
- address (an issue)
deal with a topic seriously and factually
文法句型
demagogue + noun (issue/topic)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/1 by the presence of a direct object — verb/1 describes the manner of speaking in general; verb/2 names the topic being exploited. Object is almost always a contested public issue (crime, immigration, taxes, race).