as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
rabble-rousers inciting hungry people in breadlines to demand social justice
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Recent Examples of rabble-rouser
But the hard-right caucus, typically the House rabble-rousers and thorns in Johnson’s side, are all-in on the rescissions package as vocal supporters of DOGE.
—
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2025
The Hause Family Campfire is the traditional Friday night closer of SUH, and this year’s guitar pull featured the Hauses, Sean Bonnette of the group AJJ, Tim McIlrath from hardcore rabble-rousers Rise Against, and newcomer Jon Muq.
—Trip McClatchy, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
Teaming up with counterculture rabble-rouser Jerry Rubin, Lennon and Ono speak of peace and love with a naïveté that is both poignant and inspiring.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Every decade in fact seems to have had its own rabble-rouser whose shunning of norms have pushed the medium further and further, even if their own material was too out-there to gain a wide audience.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025
Senate fiscal hawks are making a steep set of demands in negotiations over the debt ceiling, driving an even harder bargain than the House rabble-rousers who won $2 trillion in cuts.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
Back when the group was starting out, Mayor Koch sent the city’s coordinator for criminal justice, Robert Keating, to embed with Sliwa and get a read on this rabble-rouser.
—Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Paul’s ability to maintain his standing in the party despite being among his conference’s rabble-rousers, such as Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Ron Johnson (R-WI), is in part thanks to his public willingness to air his grievances.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Mar. 2025
In the week leading up to the 2001 Daytona 500, Hinton was portrayed as a rabble-rouser and a muckraker by NASCAR and its fans.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2025
The Hause Family Campfire is the traditional Friday night closer of SUH, and this year’s guitar pull featured the Hauses, Sean Bonnette of the group AJJ, Tim McIlrath from hardcore rabble-rousers Rise Against, and newcomer Jon Muq.
—Trip McClatchy, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
Teaming up with counterculture rabble-rouser Jerry Rubin, Lennon and Ono speak of peace and love with a naïveté that is both poignant and inspiring.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Every decade in fact seems to have had its own rabble-rouser whose shunning of norms have pushed the medium further and further, even if their own material was too out-there to gain a wide audience.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025
Senate fiscal hawks are making a steep set of demands in negotiations over the debt ceiling, driving an even harder bargain than the House rabble-rousers who won $2 trillion in cuts.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
Back when the group was starting out, Mayor Koch sent the city’s coordinator for criminal justice, Robert Keating, to embed with Sliwa and get a read on this rabble-rouser.
—Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Paul’s ability to maintain his standing in the party despite being among his conference’s rabble-rousers, such as Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Ron Johnson (R-WI), is in part thanks to his public willingness to air his grievances.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Mar. 2025
In the week leading up to the 2001 Daytona 500, Hinton was portrayed as a rabble-rouser and a muckraker by NASCAR and its fans.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabble-rouser
Noun
-
Israel has stepped up strikes against Syria despite pressure from the US, which has made moves to end the country’s international isolation following the rebel takeover.—
Eyad Kourdi,
CNN Money,
17 July 2025
-
The Times of Israel reported that both ships were attacked over a week ago by the rebels as part of their campaign targeting vessels over the war in Gaza.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
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The former wunderkind firebrand is best known for making statements considered by some to be intentionally provocative.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
-
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+ 'Madea's Destination Wedding' Tyler Perry's don't-call-her-elderly firebrand Madea returns in yet another comedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Avoid washing bulky loads in a top-loader with a center agitator.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Of all the larger-than-life agitators and provocateurs to come out of Flint, Michigan, in the past few years, he’s become one of the best rappers of the bunch.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Confusing Road to Confirmation Concerns for Flair's health first arose in June when his son-in-law, wrestling promoter and podcaster Conrad Thompson, stated that Flair had a cancerous spot removed from his skin.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
-
However, a new statement from promoters Hardline Media on Friday (July 18) has confirmed the tour will not be going ahead as planned.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Today a new generation of demagogues claim to be fighting to liberate aggrieved majorities from outsiders’ control.—
Derek R. Peterson,
The Conversation,
18 July 2025
-
But today’s leaders, willfully do the biddings of billionaires and backed by demagogues in exchange for power and privilege, are ignoring that call.—
Jared Nordlund,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Volz has been a major proponent of continuing to rely mainly on NOAA operated satellites, while entering into data purchase agreements with private companies as well.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
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But those caps haven’t been updated in more than two decades, and proponents of the policy argue the exemptions haven’t kept up with rising costs.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
The 29th edition of the Umbria Film Festival in Italy is kicking off today, and its honorary president, Terry Gilliam, has plenty to say about his long and varied career as filmmaker, funny man and provocateur.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
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Among them were also influencers, content creators and provocateurs who hoped to boost their online followings.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
4 July 2025
Noun
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At the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Hogan attempted to resurrect his wrestling persona to appease a sea of devoted Trump supporters who were not there to cheer for him.—
John DeVore,
Rolling Stone,
26 July 2025
-
Finland, who have not progressed past the Euros’ group stage since 2009, and Wales, making their major tournament debut, each brought thousands of vocal supporters.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rabble-rouser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabble-rouser. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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