populism

American  

[pop-yuh-liz-uhm] / ˈpɒp yəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. any of various, often antiestablishment or anti-intellectual political movements or philosophies that offer unorthodox solutions or policies and appeal to the common person rather than according with traditional party or partisan ideologies.

2. grass-roots democracy; working-class activism; egalitarianism.

3. representation or extolling of the common person, the working class, the underdog, etc..

   populism in the arts.

4. (initial capital letter) the political philosophy of the People's party.

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populism British  

/ ˈpɒpjʊˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a political strategy based on a calculated appeal to the interests or prejudices of ordinary people

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populism Cultural  

1. The belief that greater popular participation in government and business is necessary to protect individuals from exploitation by inflexible bureaucracy and financial conglomerates. “Power to the people” is a famous populist slogan.

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Other Word Forms

• anti-populism noun

Etymology

Origin of populism

An Americanism first recorded in 1890–95; from Latin popul(us) “people” ( people, popular ) + -ism

Example Sentences

His low-key approach, say some papal observers, has made it harder for him to make himself heard in a wider world that’s being shaken up by populism, strongman leaders and raw power politics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

There is also a long tradition of populism and multiracial alliances in rural America, most notably Appalachia.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2026

AFP looks at the history of the LDP, what it believes in and the reasons for its decades of success, even in the age of social media and populism.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

Bontenbal believes Dutch voters are looking now at a return to "what I'll call 'boring politics'. The Netherlands is done with populism".

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

The revolution led inevitably to the dismemberment of such of its members as had joined it under the banner of populism.

From From October to Brest-Litovsk by Trotzky, Leon Davidovich