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   Dem·a·gogue

   /ˈdeməˌɡäɡ/

   

   noun

   • 1. a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument: "a gifted demagogue with particular skill in manipulating the press"
   • ▪ (in ancient Greece and Rome) a leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people: "the Athenian demagogues had definite and valuable functions within the state"

   verb

   • 1. rhetorically exploit (an issue) for political purposes in a way calculated to appeal to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people: US "he seems more interested in demagoguing the issue in media interviews than in dialogue"

   Word Origin mid 17th century: from Greek dēmagōgos, from dēmos ‘the people’ + agōgos ‘leading’ (from agein ‘to lead’).

   Derivatives

   • 1. demagogic adjective

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • M

     3

   • A

     1

   • G

     2

   • O

     1

   • G

     2

   • U

     1

   • E

     1

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