demagogue

UK: /ˈdɛməgɒg/ US: /ˈdɛməˌgɑg, -ˌgɔg/ ,(dem′ə gog′, -gôg′)

Inflections of 'demagogue' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

demagogues

v 3rd person singular

demagoguing

v pres p

demagogued

v past

demagogued

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dem•a•gogue or dem•a•gog /ˈdɛməˌgɑg, -ˌgɔg/   n. [countable]

1. a political leader who gains power by arousing people's emotions and prejudices.

dem•a•gog•ic /ˌdɛməˈgɑgɪk, -ˈgɑdʒ-/  adj. 
dem•a•gogu•er•y, dem•a•go•gy /ˈdɛməˌgoʊdʒi, -ˌgɑdʒi/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dem•a•gogue  (dem′ə gog′, -gôg′), n., v., -gogued, -gogu•ing. 
n. 

1. a person, esp. an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.
2. (in ancient times) a leader of the people.

v.t. 

3. to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue;
   obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.

v.i. 

4. to speak or act like a demagogue.

Also, dem′a•gog′. 

• Greek dēmagōgós a leader of the people, popular leader, equivalent. to dêm(os) people + agōgós leading, guiding; see -agogue
• 1640–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

demagogue, demagog / ˈdɛməˌɡɒɡ/ noun

1. a political agitator who appeals with crude oratory to the prejudice and passions of the mob
2. (esp in the ancient world) any popular political leader or orator

Etymology: 17th Century: from Greek dēmagōgos people's leader, from dēmos people + agein to lead