pandered; pandering
ˈpan-d(ə-)riŋ 
; panders
; panders
1
: to say, do, or provide what someone (such as an audience) wants or demands even though it is not good, proper, reasonable, etc.
… ignores doing the right thing … in favor of pandering for votes.—
George Ochenski
George Ochenski… used his brilliant gifts to pander to popular taste.—Hubert Saal
Hubert Saal… TV that panders to the worst in us.—Jill Parkin
Jill Parkin… a political chameleon trying to pander to voters …—Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith2
: to act as a pander (see pander entry 2 sense 2)
plural panders
1
a
: the act or an instance of pandering (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
Calling congressional leaders babies … is a pander to public opinion rather than an attempt to inform or lead it.—Josh Benson
Josh Benson… is among the worst films of the year, a shameless pander for awards recognition …—Jason Bailey
Jason Bailey
b
: someone who panders (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
… his primary goal is self promotion. He is a political pander.—Allison Hoffman
Allison Hoffman2
a
: a go-between in love intrigues
b
: pimp
Examples of pander in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
The answer may offer a clue to his presidency: either as a divisive figure pandering to what his critics say is extremism, or a transactional leader promoting policies that the election result suggested are popular with broad swaths of the American public.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The pandering works because Hilty’s an ace physical comedian, able to infuse the smallest wrist twirl with grandiosity, armed with a voice that goes from operatically Galinda to the brass blare of moving the line.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
In acknowledging this dynamic between the Democratic Party and Black men, Fritz honors the concerns of Black men who have been boxed out of political participation but is concerned about pandering versus authentic engagement.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 18 Oct. 2024
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Verb
But Poilievre’s endorsement of the occupation of Ottawa by a convoy of truckers during the pandemic—unpopular in the country, but popular in his party—was seen as pandering of a kind and had a note of Foxy demagoguery about it that was largely new to Canada.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
The answer may offer a clue to his presidency: either as a divisive figure pandering to what his critics say is extremism, or a transactional leader promoting policies that the election result suggested are popular with broad swaths of the American public.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
The pandering works because Hilty’s an ace physical comedian, able to infuse the smallest wrist twirl with grandiosity, armed with a voice that goes from operatically Galinda to the brass blare of moving the line.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
In acknowledging this dynamic between the Democratic Party and Black men, Fritz honors the concerns of Black men who have been boxed out of political participation but is concerned about pandering versus authentic engagement.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pander
Dictionary Entries Near pander
Cite this Entry
“Pander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pander. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
pander
1 of 2 transitive verb
pan·der
ˈpan-dər
: to sell or distribute by pandering
had no protected right to pander prurient materials—Dunigan Enterprises v. DA for the Northern District, 415 N.E.2d 251 (1981)
Dunigan Enterprises v. DA for the Northern District, 415 N.E.2d 251 (1981)
: to engage in pandering
counts included…conspiracy to pander and receive the earnings of a prostitute—State v. Tocco, 750 P.2d 874 (1988)
State v. Tocco, 750 P.2d 874 (1988)pander
2 of 2 noun
: one who engages in pandering : panderer
Etymology
Noun
Middle English Pandare, character who procured for Troilus the love of Cressida in Troilus and Creseyde, poem by Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1342–1400)
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