# pander

/ˈpændɝ/ (US) · /pˈændɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pander
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

to say or do what people want just to please them, even when it is wrong or not helpful. You use it when someone tries to win support by telling people what they want to hear.

For teachers: to gratify or indulge the desires, tastes, or prejudices of others, especially for personal or political advantage.

## Examples

- Politicians sometimes pander to voters with big promises.
- The manager panders to the client by agreeing to every request, even when the deadlines are impossible.
- Rather than pander to popular fears about immigration, the editorial argued for a calm review of the economic evidence.

## Pitfalls

- Not "pander voters" but "pander to voters" — Pander almost always takes 'to' before its object.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive and almost always takes 'to' before the person or group being pleased.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.