opinion-maker
Public discourse driver
An opinion-maker is someone who shapes public thinking—a journalist, commentator, politician, or influential figure whose views reach and persuade others.
The term often appears in discussions of media and politics: Opinion-makers on both sides weighed in on the controversy.
Also called an opinion leader.
Professional opinion-giver
- commentatorBroadcast analyst or narrator
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- broadcasterOne who transmits programs
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
journalist · editorial · talking head · news analyst · media personality · op-ed writer · television host · radio host
Person with promotional reach
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- thought leaderInfluential industry expert
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
follower · viral · hashtag · engagement · reach · brand ambassador · content creator · subscriber
Scholar engaging broad audiences
- academicRelating to education or theory
- philosopherStudent of fundamental questions
- authorCreator of written works
- essayistAuthor of short prose
critic · scholar · theorist · lecturer · thinker · dissertation · publication · citation
Paid legislative influencer
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- advisorOne who gives guidance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- partisanBiased toward one side
ideologue · think tank · policy wonk · speechwriter · pollster · consultant · caucus · endorsement
Senior organizational leader
- CEOTop corporate officer
- mogulInfluential industry leader
- tycoonDominant industrial leader
- entrepreneurOne who starts businesses
investor · stakeholder · board member · industry leader · shareholder · quarterly · earnings call · keynote
pundit
Professional opinion-giver
- commentatorBroadcast analyst or narrator
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- broadcasterOne who transmits programs
anchor · journalist · editorial · talking head · news analyst · media personality · op-ed writer · television host · radio host · press
influencer
Person with promotional reach
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- thought leaderInfluential industry expert
celebrity · follower · viral · hashtag · engagement · reach · brand ambassador · content creator · subscriber · algorithm
public intellectual
Scholar engaging broad audiences
- academicRelating to education or theory
- philosopherStudent of fundamental questions
- authorCreator of written works
essayist · critic · scholar · theorist · lecturer · thinker · dissertation · publication · citation · discourse
lobbyist
Paid legislative influencer
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- advisorOne who gives guidance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
partisan · ideologue · think tank · policy wonk · speechwriter · pollster · consultant · caucus · endorsement · messaging
executive
Senior organizational leader
entrepreneur · investor · stakeholder · board member · industry leader · shareholder · quarterly · earnings call · keynote · conference
opinion-makerfollower
One who supports another
silent majority · rank and file · the masses · bystander · spectator
opinion-makernobody
Inconsequential person
unknown · voiceless · ordinary citizen · man on the street · average Joe
opinion, maker, opinions, opine, opined, opining, make, makes, making