adjective

populist

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Populist (adjective) means appealing to ordinary people by presenting politics as a struggle between the honest public and a corrupt or out-of-touch elite. Example: “He ran a populist campaign against the banks and the media.”

adjective

Appealing to ordinary people by presenting politics as a struggle between the honest public and a corrupt or out-of-touch elite.

"He ran a populist campaign against the banks and the media."

"Populist parties gained ground across Europe after the financial crisis."

Designed to be liked by a wide general audience rather than by critics or experts.

"It was a populist programme of blockbusters and singalongs."

noun

A politician or movement that uses this appeal.

"The populists took three seats from the governing party."

How to use populist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who says they are on the side of ordinary people against those in charge.

When to use it

Usually mildly critical in journalism, though people described this way often embrace the label. It describes a style of politics, not a position on the left-right spectrum.

Memory tip

Populist is not a synonym for popular. A populist appeal can be unpopular, and a popular policy need not be populist.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

popular → demagogue → nationalist →

Common pairings

populist rhetoric right-wing populist populist appeal populist backlash

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “populist” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He ran a _____ campaign against the banks and the media.

Etymology

From Latin populus, "the people", via the political movements of the late 19th century that took the name.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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anti-establishment grassroots demagogic crowd-pleasing mass-market

Antonyms

elitist technocratic highbrow

Related words

elite intellectual unofficial grassroots demagogic elitist highbrow technocratic

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between populist and popular?

Popular simply means widely liked. Populist describes a political approach built on siding with ordinary people against an elite. A populist leader may be deeply unpopular, and plenty of popular policies have nothing populist about them.

Can populism be left-wing as well as right-wing?

Yes. Populism is a style rather than an ideology, and it has appeared across the spectrum — from left-wing movements targeting banks and corporations to right-wing ones targeting immigration and cultural institutions. What they share is the framing of people versus elite.

What is the difference between a populist and a demagogue?

A populist claims to represent ordinary people against an elite, which may be a sincere position. A demagogue deliberately stirs fear and prejudice to gain power, regardless of truth. Demagogue is always an insult; populist is not always.

What is the meaning of populist?

"populist" (adjective) means appealing to ordinary people by presenting politics as a struggle between the honest public and a corrupt or out-of-touch elite.

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elite intellectual unofficial grassroots demagogic elitist highbrow technocratic