sheeple

[ shee-puhl ]

plural noun

1. people who are like sheep in being meek, conforming, or easily led:

   Maintaining fear, division, and hate is a priority—sheeple are easier to herd when frightened.

sheeple

/ ˈʃiːpəl /

noun

1. informal.
   people who tend to follow the majority in matters of opinion, taste, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheeple¹

First recorded in 1945–50; sheep ( def ) + (peop)le ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheeple¹

C20: from sheep + people

Example Sentences

Blowing smoke about how you have superior knowledge to the "sheeple" because you heard a conspiracy theory on the internet?

From Salon

Right wing politics not only draws such people in, but once in, the rhetoric of conservatism convinces them even further that they know better than the "sheeple."

From Salon

Their conspiracy theories offer them a way to feel special like they are privy to insider knowledge that the "sheeple" are too stupid or ignorant to understand.

From Salon

“Rise up. Rise up. Today is the day … that these elected officials realize that we are no longer playing games, that we are not sheeple.”

From Washington Post

Conspiracy theories encourage their followers to see themselves as the only ones with their eyes open, and everyone else as "sheeple."

From Salon