populist

/ˈpɑpjələst/

/ˈpɒpjəlɪst/

Other forms: populists

Use the noun populist to describe a person — especially a politician or activist — who works to give regular working people a voice in their government.

In politics, the word populist refers to someone who puts ordinary people's rights above those of the wealthy and powerful. It is basically a synonym of democrat, which when spelled with a lower-case d is simply a person who believes in democratic principles of rule by the people, freedom, and equality. The root of populist is the Latin word for "people," populus.

Definitions of populist

1. noun

   an advocate of democratic principles
   synonyms: democrat

   type of:

   advocate, advocator, exponent, proponent

   a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea