opinionators
Those who pontificate
Opinionators are people who express opinions, especially those who do so frequently, forcefully, or professionally.
The word often carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting someone more interested in spouting views than in careful analysis: The cable news opinionators weighed in immediately.
Pundit and commentator are near synonyms without the faintly pejorative edge.
Expert commentators on affairs
- commentatorsThose who analyze publicly
- columnistsRegular opinion piece authors
- talking headsChest-up video commentators
- anchorsWeighted devices securing vessels
bloggers · podcasters · influencers · editorialists · broadcasters · analysts · correspondents · contributors
Deliberate online agitators
- keyboard warriorsOnline-only confrontational people
- backseat driversPassengers offering unsolicited directions
- know-it-allsPeople claiming total knowledge
- loudmouthsExcessively noisy, indiscreet speakers
blowhards · windbags · critics · nitpickers · contrarians · gadflies · busybodies · hecklers
Staunch factional supporters
- ideologuesAdherents of fixed doctrines
- activistsPeople working for causes
- lobbyistsPaid political persuaders
- strategistsDesigners of careful plans
wonks · think tanks · operatives · spin doctors · advocates · campaigners · pollsters · provocateurs
Experts hired for guidance
- advisorsThose who give counsel
- expertsHighly skilled practitioners
- authoritiesThose holding official control
- gurusVenerated teachers or experts
thought leaders · specialists · scholars · academics · researchers · intellectuals · professionals · mavens
pundits
Expert commentators on affairs
- commentatorsThose who analyze publicly
- columnistsRegular opinion piece authors
- talking headsChest-up video commentators
anchors · bloggers · podcasters · influencers · editorialists · broadcasters · analysts · correspondents · contributors · hosts
trolls
Deliberate online agitators
- keyboard warriorsOnline-only confrontational people
- backseat driversPassengers offering unsolicited directions
- know-it-allsPeople claiming total knowledge
loudmouths · blowhards · windbags · critics · nitpickers · contrarians · gadflies · busybodies · hecklers · complainers
partisans
Staunch factional supporters
- ideologuesAdherents of fixed doctrines
- activistsPeople working for causes
- lobbyistsPaid political persuaders
strategists · wonks · think tanks · operatives · spin doctors · advocates · campaigners · pollsters · provocateurs · firebrands
consultants
Experts hired for guidance
- advisorsThose who give counsel
- expertsHighly skilled practitioners
- authoritiesThose holding official control
gurus · thought leaders · specialists · scholars · academics · researchers · intellectuals · professionals · mavens · connoisseurs
opinionatorslurkers
Those who observe unseen
wallflowers · fence-sitters · bystanders · spectators · nonparticipants
opinionatorslisteners
Those who attend aurally
audiences · receivers · absorbers · sounding boards · students
opinionatorsfact-checkers
Those who confirm accuracy
empiricists · stenographers · documentarians · court reporters · news readers