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Rabble-rouser
This word appears in the category Silly Insults and Character Types . Explore its meaning, pronunciation, origin, usage, examples, and related collection links.
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
Rabble-rouser means a person who stirs up crowds, provokes unrest, or encourages angry public reaction . In plain English, this is the kind of word people search when they want a clearer definition, a stronger synonym, or a more memorable way to describe an idea than ordinary vocabulary provides.
Why this word feels absurd
Rabble-rouser is memorable because it sounds almost cartoonish, yet it names a very real public role: the person who gets everyone worked up.
Origin and history
History The compound combines rabble with rouser and became established in political and journalistic English as a label for agitators and inflammatory speakers.
Is this word still used today?
rabble-rouser is common in politics, media commentary, and historical description. It can be hostile, admiring, or half-joking depending on who is speaking.
Example sentences
- Supporters saw him as a truth-teller, while critics called him a rabble-rouser.
- The paper described the activist as a seasoned rabble-rouser with a gift for crowd energy.
- In modern politics, the term often reflects opinion as much as fact.
When should you use this word?
Use Use rabble-rouser when you want a vivid label for someone who deliberately excites a crowd, especially in political or public settings.
Similar words
agitator, backbiter, berk, bickerer, blaggard
Opposite or contrasting words
gentleman, decent person, model of manners
Common questions
- What does rabble-rouser mean? Meaning Rabble-rouser means a person who stirs up crowds, provokes unrest, or encourages angry public reaction . In plain English, this is the kind of word people search when they want a clearer definition, a stronger synonym, or a more memorable way to describe an idea than ordinary vocabulary provides.
- Is rabble-rouser still used today? Usage Today rabble-rouser is common in politics, media commentary, and historical description. It can be hostile, admiring, or half-joking depending on who is speaking.
- Why does rabble-rouser sound so strange? Absurdity Rabble-rouser is memorable because it sounds almost cartoonish, yet it names a very real public role: the person who gets everyone worked up.