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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

indoctrinate

Verb

IPA /ɪnˈdɒktrɪneɪt/

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Meaning in plain English

To repeatedly teach a belief as unquestionable and discourage someone from considering other views.

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Pronunciation

indoctrinate/ɪnˈdɒktrɪneɪt/

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  1. One belief is repeatedly presented as truth

  2. Alternative views and questions are discouraged

  3. People are pressured to accept that belief

To indoctrinate is to push unquestioning acceptance rather than encourage open inquiry.

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Examples in context

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  1. The novel shows a ruler trying to indoctrinate the population through daily broadcasts.
  2. The tutor wanted students to question evidence, rather than indoctrinate them with one viewpoint.

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The novel shows a ruler trying to ________ the population through daily broadcasts.
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indoctrinate — To repeatedly teach a belief as unquestionable and discourage someone from considering other views.

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To repeatedly teach a belief as unquestionable and discourage someone from considering other views.

Compare: The novel shows a ruler trying to indoctrinate the population through daily broadcasts.

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Word origin

Formed from elements related to in- and doctrine, with a connection to French endoctriner.

Did you know?

Common patterns include indoctrinate someone with beliefs and indoctrinate someone into an ideology.

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indoctrinate

/ɪnˈdɒktrɪneɪt/ (Verb)

“This verb is disapproving. It implies pressure to accept ideas without questioning them.”

englishskillstudio.com