ochlocratic

A crowd's ochlocratic fervor overturned the established order.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to mob rule: "ochlocratic" describes something that pertains to or is characteristic of ochlocracy, which is government or rule by the masses or a mob, often implying disorder or tyranny by the majority.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The ochlocratic tendencies of the protest led to chaos in the city. (The rule by the mob caused disorder.)
  • Historians warn against ochlocratic systems, where popular passion overrides law. (Systems of mob rule are criticized for lacking stability.)

Advanced Usage

• "ochlocratic regime": a government that is dominated by the whims of the crowd.
  • The ochlocratic regime collapsed due to its inability to maintain order. (The mob-ruled government failed.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ochlocracy (noun): government by the mob; mob rule.

  • The revolution descended into ochlocracy, with no clear leadership. (The rebellion became rule by the crowd.)

• Ochlocrat (noun): a supporter or advocate of mob rule.

  • He was considered an ochlocrat, encouraging disorderly assemblies. (He promoted rule by the masses without structure.)

Synonyms

• Mobocratic: relating to rule by a mob.
• Populist (pejorative): appealing to the masses in a way that undermines institutions.

Related Idioms

• Mob rule: a situation where a crowd controls decisions through force or numbers.
  • The assembly turned into mob rule, ignoring legal procedures. (The crowd dominated the decision-making.)