populism
noun
pop·u·lism
ˈpä-pyə-ˌli-zəm 
plural populisms
1
: a political philosophy or movement that represents or is claimed to represent the interests of ordinary people especially against the Establishment (see establishment sense 2a)
Populism usually arises from a general discontent. … People feel that things are out of control, socially and economically. … The idea that this is the fault of the meritocratic elite is an easy sell.—
Nicholas Lemann
Nicholas Lemann… anti-government populism is beginning to give way to the more classic, anti-corporate populism …—Leslie Savan
Leslie Savan… Elizabeth Warren summoned the familiar and fiery spirits of Democratic populism. "Our job is to fight for the families of America," the Massachusetts Senator yelled over applause. … "Stitch up the tax loopholes so that millionaires and billionaires pay at the same tax rate as the people in this room."—Jay Newton-Small
Jay Newton-SmallThere are few things more terrifying than demagogic populism, sharpened dangerously into authoritarian rule, with minorities left at the mercy of those now in charge of writing and enforcing the laws.—George Takei
George TakeiThe move comes amid a rise in economic populism in the GOP, Republican strategist John Feehery told the Washington Examiner. Even as the party writ large is generally supportive of the business community, an insurgent crop of Republican lawmakers is pursuing a more working-class-friendly agenda …—Samantha-Jo Roth
Samantha-Jo Roth
sometimes, specifically
: the political and economic doctrines advocated by the Populists (see populist entry 1 sense 1b)
… the nativist populism of the 1890s, the political and social movement of poor and dispossessed farmers who saw the source of their plight as the controllers of money and the rule of gold … —Daniel Bell
Daniel Bell 2
: general concern for ordinary people
… a profile of James Brown in Look, in February of 1969. The article celebrated Mr. Brown's business empire … and his populism (traveling a hundred thousand miles a year to reach three million fans where they lived; capping ticket prices at five dollars for adults and ninety-nine cents for children under twelve) …—Philip Gourevitch
Philip GourevitchExamples of populism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While some warn that his brand of progressive populism could alienate moderate voters, others argue that his appeal to working-class and immigrant communities—especially in a high-turnout primary—offers a glimpse of how Democrats might reenergize a disillusioned base.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 June 2025
The Hill: The limits of culturally radical populism.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 26 June 2025
More broadly, his popularity may signal a coming surge of left-wing populism, and could offer lessons to the West’s political left that has been reeling from the rise of far-right actors, a Guardian columnist argued.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
This attack is hard to understand except as a salvo in a culture war against putative elites who do not share the ideology of right-wing populism.
—Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
Coming only two weeks after a presidential election in Romania in which voters chose a centrist over a hard-right admirer of President Trump, Poland’s vote is being closely watched in Europe and the United States as a test of right-wing populism’s staying power.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Shipping money to America for advanced weapons systems while lowering spending on public services is not a recipe for political stability in an age of rising populism.
—Massimo Calabresi, Time, 26 June 2025
But like West Virginia, the GOP nationally has come to revere the rebellious populism of Andrew Jackson or even the heroes of the Confederacy more often than the sober, sacrificial republicanism of Lincoln.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
There is nothing new about the populism and nationalism driving some of today’s harmful discourse.
—Nicholas Dimarzio, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
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Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 June 2025
The Hill: The limits of culturally radical populism.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 26 June 2025
More broadly, his popularity may signal a coming surge of left-wing populism, and could offer lessons to the West’s political left that has been reeling from the rise of far-right actors, a Guardian columnist argued.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
This attack is hard to understand except as a salvo in a culture war against putative elites who do not share the ideology of right-wing populism.
—Robert O. Keohane, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
Coming only two weeks after a presidential election in Romania in which voters chose a centrist over a hard-right admirer of President Trump, Poland’s vote is being closely watched in Europe and the United States as a test of right-wing populism’s staying power.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Shipping money to America for advanced weapons systems while lowering spending on public services is not a recipe for political stability in an age of rising populism.
—Massimo Calabresi, Time, 26 June 2025
But like West Virginia, the GOP nationally has come to revere the rebellious populism of Andrew Jackson or even the heroes of the Confederacy more often than the sober, sacrificial republicanism of Lincoln.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
There is nothing new about the populism and nationalism driving some of today’s harmful discourse.
—Nicholas Dimarzio, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Populism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/populism. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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