rabble-rouser

[ rab-uhl-rou-zer ]

noun

1. a person who stirs up the passions or prejudices of the public, usually for self-interested reasons; demagogue.

rabble-rouser

noun

1. a person who manipulates the passions of the mob; demagogue

Derived Forms

• ˈrabble-ˌrousing, adjectivenoun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rabble-rouser¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Smalls is a decidedly charismatic rabble-rouser in the momentous year “Union” chronicles.

From Los Angeles Times

Ferguson has been a steady conservative, but not a right-wing rabble-rouser.

From Seattle Times

“I’m a rabble-rouser who does humorous social commentary within a rock-and-roll setting,” he told The New York Times in 1990.

From New York Times

But his detractors say he is a rabble-rouser who uses populism to win public sympathy.

From BBC

It was even more eyebrow-raising because the conservative rabble-rouser had proposed 27 amendments to the budget.

From Salon