pandering
pandering — verb
1. to shape your words or actions to match what people want, especially so you can
to shape your words or actions to match what people want, especially so you can gain support or some other benefit
The mayor changed his speech to pander to angry commuters before the vote.
pattern: pander to + group
Cheap ads that pander to fear rarely help people think clearly.
pander to + fear/prejudice
The channel keeps pandering to viewers who want louder and simpler stories.
Ryan refused to pander to donors, even when the campaign was short of cash.
- cater
can be neutral, but pandering sounds more opportunistic or unprincipled
- appease
focuses on calming anger; pander stresses pleasing people for advantage
- court
often suggests actively seeking support, but not always by lowering standards
- flatter
centers on praise, while pander can include policies, products, or behavior
文法句型
pander to + group
pander to + fear/prejudice
pander to + demands
用法筆記
Usually followed by to. Common subjects are politicians, companies, media outlets, and public figures, and the object is often a crowd, a market, or a feeling such as fear or prejudice.
常見錯誤
2. to supply sexual partners for another person, especially as part of prostitution
to supply sexual partners for another person, especially as part of prostitution
The gang was pandering teenage girls to wealthy visitors from nearby casinos.
pattern: pander + person + to + clients
Court papers say the club kept pandering dancers to private customers.
Detectives accused Eitan of pandering women to sailors near the docks.
The trial centered on men who were pandering runaways to buyers online.
文法句型
pander + person + to + clients
be charged with pandering
用法筆記
This sense is mainly seen in criminal-law or historical reporting. It often appears in court language about arranging prostitution for profit, not in ordinary conversation.
pandering — noun
1. behavior that keeps giving people the message or treatment they want so that you
behavior that keeps giving people the message or treatment they want so that you can win approval, support, or another advantage
Many voters were tired of the host's constant pandering to outrage.
pandering to + emotion
The article criticizes the brand's pandering to teenage trends for quick sales.
Parents complained about pandering in children's shows that reward rude behavior.
Her speech had less pandering and more honest answers than last year.
- flattery
focuses on praise, while pandering can include policies, products, or tone
- people-pleasing
broader and less political; it can be personal rather than strategic
- appeasement
stresses calming pressure or criticism more than feeding taste
文法句型
pandering to + audience/feeling
accuse someone of pandering
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when talking about the general practice. It is common in political, media, and cultural criticism where someone is accused of lowering standards to please an audience.