indoctrinated
C1Formal; academic, political, sociological, and critical discourse.
Definition
Meaning
To teach someone to accept a set of beliefs uncritically, often to instill a specific ideology.
The process or result of being systematically trained to adhere to a particular doctrine, system of thought, or set of principles, often in a way that discourages questioning or independent analysis. It frequently implies a one-sided, dogmatic instruction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly pejorative connotation in modern usage. Implies a top-down, manipulative, or coercive process of education that aims at creating conformity rather than critical understanding. The verb form 'indoctrinate' is more common than the adjective 'indoctrinated'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the term with identical spelling and core meaning.
Connotations
Identically pejorative in both varieties. Often associated with political, religious, or ideological extremism.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in serious news, academic writing, and political commentary in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be indoctrinated into somethingbe indoctrinated with somethingindoctrinate someone in somethingindoctrinate someone to believe somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used critically: 'New employees were indoctrinated into the company's cult-like culture.'
Academic
Common in sociology, political science, education, and critical theory to describe processes of socialisation into rigid belief systems.
Everyday
Used in discussions of politics, education, or religion to criticise one-sided teaching: 'They've been indoctrinated by that media outlet.'
Technical
Used in psychology and cult studies to describe a specific method of coercive persuasion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The regime sought to indoctrinate the youth through its control of the curriculum.
- He was worried the group would try to indoctrinate his younger sister.
American English
- The cult indoctrinates new members by isolating them from their families.
- Some argue that certain news networks indoctrinate rather than inform.
adjective
British English
- The indoctrinated recruits showed unwavering loyalty to the cause.
- It's difficult to reason with someone who is so thoroughly indoctrinated.
American English
- Indoctrinated followers often reject evidence that contradicts their beliefs.
- She gave an indoctrinated response, parroting the party line.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children were indoctrinated to believe the enemy was evil.
- He felt like he was being indoctrinated at the new school.
- Many historians argue that the population was systematically indoctrinated by the state propaganda machine.
- After leaving the group, she struggled to overcome her indoctrinated worldview.
- The totalitarian regime's power rested not only on fear but on a deeply indoctrinated populace that internalised its ideology.
- Critical pedagogy aims to empower students to think for themselves rather than become indoctrinated consumers of pre-packaged knowledge.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IN' (into) + 'DOCTRINE' (a set of beliefs) + 'ATE' (to make). You are made to go 'into a doctrine' without question.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION/LEARNING IS FILLING A CONTAINER (with doctrine). THE MIND IS A MACHINE (that can be programmed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'обученный' (trained) or 'воспитанный' (brought up), which are neutral. The closer Russian terms are 'обработанный' (processed), 'зомбированный' (colloquial for brainwashed), or the phrase 'подвергнутый идеологической обработке' (subjected to ideological processing).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a neutral synonym for 'educated'. Confusing it with 'incubated'. Spelling: 'indocrinated' (missing 't').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'indoctrinated' correctly and in its most typical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern usage it is almost exclusively pejorative. It implies uncritical acceptance of beliefs, often through manipulative or coercive means. A neutral term for systematic teaching would be 'instructed' or 'trained'.
Education aims to develop critical thinking and a broad understanding, presenting multiple perspectives. Indoctrination aims to instill a specific, unquestioned set of beliefs and discourage independent analysis.
Typically, no. The term implies an external agent (a person, group, or system) doing the indoctrinating. One might become 'dogmatic' or 'brainwashed' through self-directed exposure, but 'indoctrinated' suggests a deliberate teaching process by another.
While most common in those contexts, it can be applied to any rigid system of thought, including corporate culture, extreme social movements, or even intense sports teams where a specific mindset is imposed without question.