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View synonyms for populist

populist

[ pop-yuh-list ]

noun

  1. a supporter or adherent of populism.
  2. (initial capital letter) a member of the People's party.


adjective

  1. Also popu·listic. of, relating to, or characteristic of populism or its adherents.
  2. (initial capital letter) Also Popu·listic. of or relating to the People's party.

Populist

1

/ ˈpɒpjʊlɪst /

noun

  1. history a member of the People's Party, formed largely by agrarian interests to contest the 1892 presidential election. The movement gradually dissolved after the 1904 election
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. of, characteristic of, or relating to the People's Party, the Populists, or any individual or movement with similar aims
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

populist

2

/ ˈpɒpjʊlɪst /

adjective

  1. appealing to the interests or prejudices of ordinary people
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person, esp a politician, who appeals to the interests or prejudices of ordinary people
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈPopulism, noun
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Other Words From

  • anti-popu·list noun adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of populist1

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

Ultimately, Donald Trump was able to channel the public’s grievances into his own personal grievances and ride a wave of populist rage into the White House for a second time.

From Salon

But one thing seems unlikely to change: his dislike of patient, principled diplomacy as a means to peace and his preference for transactional politics and populist gestures.

From BBC

Some say Vice President Harris spent too much time singing “Happy. Happy. Joy. Joy” while ignoring serious populist issues.

From Salon

European populists who share his belief that they are the true voice of voters: upset about the economy, about immigration, about the state of their respective countries and demanding change now.

From BBC

But the populist president never lost his base, at first largely white and working class but growing marginally more diverse over time.

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populismPopulist party