indoctrinate
verb
Did you know?
Indoctrinate means "brainwash" to many people, but its meaning isn't always so negative. When the verb first appeared in English in the 17th century, it simply meant "to teach"—a meaning linked closely to its source, the Latin verb docēre, which also means "to teach." (Other offspring of docēre include docile, doctor, document, and, of course, doctrine). By the 19th century, indoctrinate was being used in the sense of teaching someone to fully accept only the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group.
Examples of indoctrinate in a Sentence
David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
We've been indoctrinated to believe that real collaboration happens when people gather synchronously, whether physically or virtually.
—Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
They should not be indoctrinated into any belief system, but rather taught the principles of democracy and good citizenship.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025
People can initially get indoctrinated quietly, staring at their phone or laptop, safe from others’ judgment.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Indoctrinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indoctrinate. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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indoctrinate
verb
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