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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

The mightiest of Vought’s ultra-marketed superstars, Homelander, played by Antony Starr, is believed by many in the world of “The Boys” to be America’s greatest hero; in reality, he’s an oversensitive, egotistical demagogue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2025

Washington, who transitioned seamlessly from general to president and back to private citizen, could easily imagine a demagogue giving in to the perilous temptation to use martial power as a political cudgel.

From Slate ● Feb. 17, 2025

It avoids alike the radicalism of the demagogue and the stagnation of the materialist.

From Lincoln, the Politician by T. Aaron Levy

Egged on by demagogues, Thucydides narrates, Athens embarked on a war of choice—the Sicilian expedition, the disastrous failure of which contributed to Athens’s eventual defeat in the Peloponnesian War.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 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

Comedies like “The Acharnians” and “Lysistrata” critiqued ongoing wars, while “The Knights” ridiculed demagogues such as Cleon.

From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2025

Demonization and dehumanization are tried and true tactics of demagogues in every era.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2025

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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