Meaning & use
populist
A political leader or movement claiming to represent the interests of ordinary people against a privileged elite.
See it in a sentence
The populist promised to lower taxes for working families and challenge big corporations.
Historians compared the senator's rhetoric to that of earlier American populists.
A note on using this word
Populist is often used both descriptively and critically, so its tone can shift depending on whether the speaker approves of the movement.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Relating to or characteristic of ordinary people or a movement claiming to represent them.
The party shifted toward more populist policies to win back working-class voters.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “populist”, then compare your use with the examples above.