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
Samantha Mann, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025
As his teachings take a harrowing turn towards violence, Rena witnesses the transformation of devoted followers into ruthless killers, indoctrinated to carry out brutal acts.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
From a very early age I was indoctrinated into all of this.
—Eric Ryan, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Texas and Florida have already placed even stricter limits on academic content seen as biased or indoctrinating.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indoctrinate
Cite this Entry
“Indoctrinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indoctrinate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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indoctrinate
verb
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