Ward-heeler (Noun)
Meaning
A politician who belongs to a small clique that controls a political party for private rather than public ends.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The corrupt ward-heeler was known for trading favors and votes to further his own interests.
- The local politician was accused of being a ward-heeler, using his influence to line his own pockets.
- The ward-heeler's grip on the party was tightening, as he distributed favors and jobs to loyal supporters.
- A group of angry citizens accused the city council of being run by ward-heelers who cared little for the public good.
- In her speech, the reform candidate vowed to clean up the party and rid it of ward-heelers who were more interested in personal gain than public service.