Meanings
plural demagogueries
- countableuncountableThe actions of a demagogue.
Long before the energy crisis the debate over deregulation of natural gas prices raged stormily, stirring high emotions, demagogueries and mutual deceptions, and with literally billions of dollars at stake.
1976 April 2, “Gas Deregulation”, in The New York Times1 more example
The desire for politicians who are sincere explains not only the strategic value of demagoguery (and hence the campaign choices of candidates like Trump who may not in fact believe their own demagogic bombast).
2015 December 10, Jason Stanley, “Democracy and the Demagogue”, in The New York Times - countableuncountableRhetoric that appeals to the prejudices of the people.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounimpassioned appeals to the prejudices and emotions of the populace
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Translations
French démagogie
- démagogierhetoric
German Demagogie
- Demagogierhetoric
Greek δημαγωγία
- δημαγωγία (dimagogía)rhetoric
Italian demagogia
- demagogiarhetoric
Cite this entry
demagoguery. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/demagoguery
“demagoguery.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/demagoguery. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “demagoguery,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/demagoguery.
Source: demagoguery on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.