Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Indoctrinate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿง 
Add to dictionary

indoctrinate

[ษชnหˆdษ’k.trษช.neษชt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

education

Teach (a person or group) to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.

Synonyms

brainwash, condition, propagandize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
indoctrinate

Used when teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them. Frequently used in educational or ideological contexts.

  • The government sought to indoctrinate the younger generation with its political agenda.
  • Religious schools often aim to indoctrinate their students with specific beliefs.
brainwash

Used in a negative sense when someone is being forced or manipulated into changing their beliefs or behaviors. Often associated with aggressive or coercive tactics.

  • The cult leader was able to brainwash his followers into complete obedience.
  • The prisoner claimed he was brainwashed during his time in captivity.
propagandize

Used when someone is actively spreading propaganda to influence others. Implies a strategic and often biased dissemination of information.

  • The state media is relentless in its efforts to propagandize the government's achievements.
  • Activist groups often use social media to propagandize their messages.
condition

Used in a more neutral or sometimes negative sense when someone is trained or accustomed to behave in a certain way. Commonly used in psychological or training contexts.

  • The experiment aimed to condition the subjects to respond to a specific stimulus.
  • Over time, society has conditioned us to accept certain norms.

Examples of usage

  • Children are indoctrinated into the concept of obedience from a young age.
  • The cult leader indoctrinated his followers with his extremist ideology.
  • She was indoctrinated by the propaganda to believe in a false reality.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • Indoctrination has been used throughout history in religious and political contexts to foster loyalty.
  • During the Cold War, both political blocs employed indoctrination tactics to promote their ideologies.

Psychology

  • The process can create strong in-group identities but may hinder critical thinking and independent thought.
  • Cognitive dissonance often arises when someone who has been indoctrinated encounters conflicting information.

Education

  • Some argue that schools should focus on critical thinking to prevent indoctrination and promote independent thought.
  • Educational systems in certain countries are criticized for using indoctrination rather than encouraging open debate.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict characters undergoing indoctrination in cults, showcasing the emotional and psychological impacts.
  • The term is frequently discussed in contexts involving extremism and radicalization in media.

Origin of 'indoctrinate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'doctrina', which means 'teaching' or 'instruction'.
  • It originally referred to the act of instructing someone in a specific set of beliefs.

The term 'indoctrinate' originated in the early 17th century from the Latin word 'indoctrinare', which means 'to instruct' or 'to teach'. It gained popularity in the context of education and belief systems, often associated with the process of instilling specific ideas or doctrines in a person or group.

See also: doctrinaire, doctrinal, doctrines.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,978 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.