VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

indoctrination

noun·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/ɪnˌdɒktrɪˈneɪʃn/
US/ɪnˌdɑːktrɪˈneɪʃn/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    The process of teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs or ideas fully and without question or criticism.

    Grammar: Uncountable: years of indoctrination, not 'an indoctrination'.

    Patterns

    • indoctrination into something
    • indoctrination of someone

    Critics accused the state of using schools for political indoctrination.

    He later spoke about his childhood indoctrination in a strict sect.

    Constant repetition of slogans is a typical form of indoctrination.

  2. noununcountableformal

    Basic training given to new members of an organization so they learn its rules and aims.

    Grammar: Uncountable; less negative than the first meaning, often in military use.

    Patterns

    • indoctrination into something
    • indoctrination program

    New recruits went through a week of indoctrination before joining their unit.

    The company's indoctrination covers safety rules and history.

Common combinations

political indoctrination
The regime relied on political indoctrination of the young.
religious indoctrination
She felt her religious indoctrination had limited her choices.
indoctrination into
His indoctrination into the group took several months.
ideological indoctrination
The camp offered sport and ideological indoctrination.
subject to indoctrination
Students should not be subject to indoctrination in the classroom.

Synonyms and how they differ

brainwashing
Brainwashing is stronger and suggests forceful mental control, while indoctrination can be slower, gentler teaching.
propaganda
Propaganda is the biased material itself, whereas indoctrination is the process of getting someone to accept it.
instruction
Instruction is neutral teaching and invites questions, but indoctrination does not.
conditioning
Conditioning stresses forming habits and reactions through repetition, rather than teaching specific beliefs.

Opposites

critical thinkingeducation

Word family

indoctrinate verb
to teach someone to accept beliefs without question
indoctrinated adjective
having been taught to accept ideas uncritically
doctrine noun
a set of beliefs taught by a group
indoctrinator noun
a person who indoctrinates others

Commonly confused: indoctrination or education?

indoctrination vs education

Education aims to build knowledge and independent thinking, while indoctrination aims for unquestioning acceptance.

Practice

Parents worried that the club was using daily slogans and punishments as ___ rather than teaching children to think for themselves.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “indoctrination”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words