demagogue

Meanings

Noun

• A political orator or leader who gains favor by pandering to or exciting the passions and prejudices of the audience rather than by using rational argument.
• A leader of the people.

Verb

• To speak or act in the manner of a demagogue; to speak about (an issue) in the manner of a demagogue.

Origin

• From Middle French démagogue, from Ancient Greek δημαγωγός, from δῆμος + ἀγωγός.