panderer
Exploits others' desires
A panderer caters to the base desires or worst impulses of others, often for personal gain.
Politicians pander to voters with empty promises; media outlets pander with sensational content.
The word carries strong disapproval—it suggests someone who knows better but chooses to exploit weakness anyway: a shameless panderer to public fears.
In its older, narrower sense, a panderer procures sexual partners for others.
Prostitution manager
- madamFormal address for women
- procuressWoman arranging prostitution
- brothel-keeperManager of prostitution house
- flesh-peddlerOne trafficking in bodies
trafficker · exploiter · hustler · solicitor · recruiter · supplier · whoremonger
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- fawnerOne who flatters servilely
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
brown-noser · apple-polisher · groveler · obsequious · ingratiator · smooth-talker · sweet-talker · charmer
Neutral process guide
- go-betweenAgent connecting separate parties
- arrangerOne who orders elements
- accompliceCrime's willing helper
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
collaborator · fixer · middleman · agent · expediter · accommodator · provider · supplier
One who controls cunningly
- opportunistOne exploiting circumstances
- profiteerOne exploiting shortages
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
- sensationalistOne who inflames reactions
clickbaiter · provocateur · rabble-rouser · crowd-pleaser · populist · indulger · cajoler · tempter
pimp
Prostitution manager
- madamFormal address for women
- procuressWoman arranging prostitution
- brothel-keeperManager of prostitution house
flesh-peddler · trafficker · exploiter · hustler · solicitor · recruiter · supplier · whoremonger
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- fawnerOne who flatters servilely
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
bootlicker · brown-noser · apple-polisher · groveler · obsequious · ingratiator · smooth-talker · sweet-talker · charmer · schmoozer
facilitator
Neutral process guide
- go-betweenAgent connecting separate parties
- arrangerOne who orders elements
- accompliceCrime's willing helper
abettor · collaborator · fixer · middleman · agent · expediter · accommodator · provider · supplier · connector
manipulator
One who controls cunningly
- opportunistOne exploiting circumstances
- profiteerOne exploiting shortages
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
sensationalist · clickbaiter · provocateur · rabble-rouser · crowd-pleaser · populist · indulger · cajoler · tempter · seducer
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
pandererchallenger
One competing against incumbent
reformer · statesman · truth-teller · contrarian · provocateur
pandererchaperone
Protective adult companion
abolitionist · protector · rescuer · guardian · vice squad