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demagogue

[dem-uh-gog, -gawg] / ˈdɛm əˌgɒg, -ˌgɔg /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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The power struggles within a contentious Indian family feed the rise of a demagogue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

But he also turned on his vice-president, reposting a comment on X in which she was labelled a "traitor, a demagogue and stupid in economic terms".

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2025

“Parade,” which delves into antisemitism, systemic bias in our judicial system and the power of a wily demagogue to stoke atavistic hatred for self-gain, has a disconcerting timeliness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2025

Washington offered the blueprint of the modern demagogue, a Cassandra-like prophecy of executive overreach and populist fervor.

From Slate ● Feb. 17, 2025

Every demagogue in the State, who had rung the changes on the evils of cheap labor, felt the thrust; and it is doubtful if one of them has forgiven Harte to this day.

From A Breeze from the Woods, 2nd Ed. by William Chauncey Bartlett

More-charismatic types, demagogues not excluded, do much better.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

He said the corporation was "the best defence of truth and trust against the lies of dictators and demagogues".

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2025

His book considers many of the “futurologists” who’ve held sway in the United States, including demagogues like Billy Sunday, utopian dreamers like Buckminster Fuller and sci-fi seers like Octavia E. Butler.

From New York Times ● Nov. 27, 2024

That democracy can degenerate into tyranny through freely elected demagogues is an abiding paradox.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2023

Atticus Finch was right when he said the only good the University did Henry was let him make friends with Alabama’s future politicians, demagogues, and statesmen.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

At the same time, only a week ago, President Obama had praised Ryan as a "pretty sincere guy" and seemed to suggest Ryan's idea shouldn't be demagogued as "trying to hurt our senior citizens."

From Washington Post ● Feb. 5, 2010

Perhaps directness is what’s required for an issue that cries out for more listening and less demagoguing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2022




Vocabulary lists containing demagogue


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