1. a political leader who gains power by appealing to people's emotions, prejudices, and desires rather than by using rational argument
Usage: often used critically or pejoratively; also spelled 'demagogue'

Examples

• The candidate was criticized as a demagog for making false promises to win votes.
• Historians warn that demagogs often exploit economic hardship to gain political power.
• A demagog relies on emotional speeches rather than detailed policy proposals.
• The demagog's inflammatory rhetoric divided the nation along partisan lines.
• Voters should be cautious of demagogs who oversimplify complex problems.