indoctrinate

[ in-dok-truh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·doc·tri·nat·ed, in·doc·tri·nat·ing.

1. to instruct in a doctrine, principle, ideology, etc., especially to imbue with a specific partisan or biased belief or point of view.

   Synonyms: propagandize, brainwash

2. to teach or inculcate.
3. to imbue with learning.

indoctrinate

/ ɪnˈdɒktrɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to teach (a person or group of people) systematically to accept doctrines, esp uncritically
2. rare.
   to impart learning to; instruct

Derived Forms

• inˈdoctriˌnator, noun
• inˌdoctriˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• in·doc·tri·na·tion [in-dok-tr, uh, -, ney, -sh, uh, n], noun
• in·doc·tri·na·tor noun
• re·in·doc·tri·nate verb (used with object) reindoctrinated reindoctrinating

Word History and Origins

Origin of indoctrinate¹

First recorded in 1620–30; in- ² + Medieval Latin doctrīnātus, past participle of doctrīnāre “to teach”; doctrine, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Ultimately, “everyone is capable of indoctrinating themselves at any time.”

From Los Angeles Times

But I was a Republican, and I had been indoctrinated in all the Republican rhetoric about how Hillary was the devil and she was terrible and we couldn't possibly have her in office.

From Salon

I’ve often joked I was the perfect age to be indoctrinated.

From BBC

Without these “indoctrinated boundaries,” as he calls them, he has the freedom to find — or, in the case of “Chimp Crazy,” provoke — dramatic on-screen conflicts and satisfying resolutions that traditional documentarians might not.

From Los Angeles Times

"There is an agenda ... where the homosexual viewpoint is being — students are being indoctrinated," he told Fox News' Bill O'Reilly in 2006.

From Salon

Related Words

• imbue
• inculcate
• instill