Demagogued: meaning, definitions and examples
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demagogued
[ ˈdɛməˌɡɔɡd ]
political manipulation
To demagogue is to use emotional appeals, often based on prejudice or fear, to influence and rally people for political gain. It involves exploiting societal divisions and concerns to manipulate the masses, rather than presenting rational arguments or policies.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The politician demagogued the crowd with fiery speeches.
- They were accused of demagoguing to gain support for their agenda.
- His ability to demagogue effectively won him many followers.
Etymology
The term 'demagogue' originates from the ancient Greek word 'demagogos', which translates to 'leader of the people'. It is composed of 'demos', meaning 'people', and 'agogos', meaning 'leader' or 'to lead'. Originally, a demagogue was simply a popular leader who often spoke on behalf of the masses or addressed their concerns. However, over time, the connotation shifted, especially in the context of political discourse, to denote leaders who manipulate public opinion through emotional rhetoric, often at the expense of rational debate. The term has been used throughout history to characterize politicians who exploit fears and prejudices to gain power, and it remains relevant in contemporary discussions of populism and political strategy.