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Propaganda Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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propaganda

[หŒprษ‘ห.pษ™หˆษกรฆn.dษ™ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

political

Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Synonyms

disinformation, misinformation, persuasion.

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Word Description / Examples
propaganda

Propaganda is used to spread information, often biased or misleading, to promote a political cause or point of view.

  • The government used propaganda to influence public opinion during the war.
  • Movies during that era were filled with propaganda.
disinformation

Disinformation involves deliberately spreading false information to deceive people, usually for political or strategic gain. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • The campaign was filled with disinformation designed to confuse voters.
  • Enemies often resort to disinformation to undermine each other.
misinformation

Misinformation refers to the spreading of incorrect or misleading information without the intent to deceive. It can be unintentional.

  • He apologized for sharing misinformation about the election results.
  • Misinformation about vaccines can lead to public health risks.
persuasion

Persuasion is the act of convincing someone to believe or do something through reasoning or argument. It does not inherently have a negative connotation.

  • She used her skills of persuasion to get the committee to agree to the new policy.
  • The advertisement was very effective in its persuasion.

Examples of usage

  • The government's propaganda machine was in full swing during the election campaign.
  • The dictator used propaganda to manipulate the minds of the people.
Context #2 | Noun

media

Material used to promote a particular ideology or point of view, often through mass media.

Synonyms

advertising, promotion, publicity.

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Word Description / Examples
propaganda

Used when referring to information, especially biased or misleading, spread to promote a political cause or point of view. Often has a negative connotation.

  • The regime relied heavily on propaganda to maintain control.
  • The film was criticized as sheer propaganda.
promotion

Used when talking about activities that offer advantages like discounts or special offers to encourage people to buy products or services.

  • The store is having a promotion on all electronics this weekend.
  • He got the promotion after working there for five years.
publicity

Refers to notice or attention given to someone or something by the media. It can be positive or negative.

  • The film received a lot of publicity even before its release.
  • The event was canceled due to negative publicity.
advertising

Refers to the activity or profession of producing advertisements for commercial products or services.

  • The company spends a lot of money on advertising.
  • She works in the advertising industry.

Examples of usage

  • The advertisement was criticized for its use of propaganda to sell the product.
  • The documentary was accused of being propaganda for a specific agenda.
Context #3 | Noun

historical

A systematic effort to spread particular beliefs or opinions, often by a government or organization.

Synonyms

brainwashing, campaign, indoctrination.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
propaganda

Propaganda refers to information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

  • 'The government released propaganda to boost support for the new law
  • ' 'During wartime, propaganda is often used to maintain public morale
  • '
campaign

A campaign is an organized course of action to achieve a particular goal, often used in contexts like marketing, politics, or social movements.

  • 'The company launched a new advertising campaign
  • ' 'She is leading a campaign to raise awareness about climate change
  • '
indoctrination

Indoctrination is the process of teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs uncritically, often used with a negative connotation when referring to manipulation or control.

  • 'The school was accused of indoctrination to promote a specific ideology
  • ' 'He talked about his experience of indoctrination in private school
  • '
brainwashing

Brainwashing is the process of forcefully altering someoneโ€™s beliefs or attitudes, often used negatively to describe manipulative tactics.

  • 'The cult used brainwashing to control its members
  • ' 'He accused the media of brainwashing the population
  • '

Examples of usage

  • During the war, both sides engaged in propaganda to boost morale and gain support.
  • Propaganda posters were used to rally the population behind the cause.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term 'propaganda' originated from the Latin phrase 'Congregatio de Propaganda Fide', which means 'Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith', established by the Catholic Church in 1622.
  • During World War I, propaganda became a key tool for governments to maintain morale, encourage enlistment, and demonize the enemy.
  • The use of propaganda intensified during World War II, with countries using films, posters, and radio broadcasts to shape public opinion.

Psychology

  • People are more easily influenced by emotional appeals than logical arguments, a principle that propaganda often exploits.
  • The 'bandwagon effect' is a psychological phenomenon where individuals adopt beliefs because they perceive that many others believe it, a common tactic in propaganda.
  • Cognitive dissonance can lead people to accept propaganda if it aligns with their existing beliefs, making them less critical of the information.

Media and Communication

  • In the digital age, social media platforms are frequently used for propaganda, spreading messages rapidly to wide audiences.
  • Propaganda often employs visuals, such as striking images or graphics, to create a stronger impact than text alone.
  • The credibility of sources is crucial, as propaganda can succeed in convincing people if it appears to come from trusted figures or platforms.

Education

  • Critical thinking is essential in education to help students discern propaganda from factual information.
  • Media literacy programs aim to teach individuals how to analyze and understand the messages behind various forms of media, including propaganda.
  • Teachers may encourage discussions about historical uses of propaganda to help students recognize it in current events.

Pop Culture

  • Films and books often depict propaganda, highlighting its impact during times of conflict; examples include George Orwell's '1984' or movies about World War II.
  • Video games sometimes engage with themes of propaganda, challenging players to see through misleading narratives.
  • Music has been used for propaganda purposes, with artists writing songs that reflect national pride or political messages, especially during wartime.

Origin of 'propaganda'

The word 'propaganda' originated from the Latin word 'propagare', which means 'to spread' or 'to propagate'. It first appeared in English in the 18th century with a neutral connotation of promoting a particular doctrine or system. However, its usage became more associated with biased or misleading information in the 20th century, particularly in the context of political manipulation and mass persuasion.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,729 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.