pander

/'pændə/

Friendly

Word: Pander

Part of Speech: Verb and Noun

Basic Definition: 1. As a verb: To pander means to cater to someone's desires or weaknesses, often in a way that is viewed as dishonest or insincere. 2. As a noun: A pander is someone who helps others, especially in a negative way, often by providing what they want, even if it's not good for them. Historically, it referred to someone who procured customers for sex workers.

Usage Instructions:

• Verb form: You can use "pander" when you want to describe the act of giving someone what they want, especially if it involves lowering standards or morals.
• Noun form: You can use "pander" to describe a person who does that kind of catering, especially in a disapproving context.

Examples:

• Verb: "The politician pandered to the crowd by making promises he knew he couldn't keep."
• Noun: "He was seen as a pander, always trying to please others at the expense of his integrity."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex discussions, "pandering" can refer to behavior that appeals to the lowest or most self-indulgent desires of a group, often for personal gain, such as in politics or media.

Word Variants:

• Pandering (noun): The act of giving in to someone's desires.
• Panderer (noun): A person who panders.

Different Meaning:

While the primary meanings often relate to catering to undesirable desires, in some contexts, especially in literature, it can simply mean to provide or supply what is desired, without the negative connotation.

Synonyms:

• Cater
• Indulge
• Gratify
• Satisfy
• Pamper

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly use "pander," but you might hear phrases like "pander to someone’s whims," which means to excessively accommodate someone's desires or requests.

Summary:

"Pander" can have a negative connotation when it implies dishonesty or moral compromise.

Academic

Noun

1. someone who procures customers for whores (in England they call a pimp a ponce)

Verb

1. arrange for sexual partners for others
2. yield (to); give satisfaction to

Synonyms

• pimp
• procurer
• panderer
• pandar
• fancy man
• ponce
• procure
• gratify
• indulge