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Core action
Teach people to accept a set of beliefs uncritically rather than evaluate competing ideas.
Example
The programme was designed to indoctrinate recruits rather than educate them.
indoctrinate
/ɪnˈdɒktrɪneɪt/ · in-DOK-trih-naytverb
Teach people to accept a set of beliefs uncritically rather than evaluate competing ideas.
Use indoctrinate to express this relationship precisely: teach people to accept a set of beliefs uncritically rather than evaluate competing ideas.
What indoctrinate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
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Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Critics argued that the textbook indoctrinated students by suppressing contrary evidence.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Education encourages inquiry; propaganda attempts to indoctrinate.
Use indoctrinate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The programme was designed to indoctrinate recruits rather than educate them.
Critics argued that the textbook indoctrinated students by suppressing contrary evidence.
Education encourages inquiry; propaganda attempts to indoctrinate.
Precision Matters
Indoctrinate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
indoctrinate
vs.Means teach people to accept a set of beliefs uncritically rather than evaluate competing ideas.
assert
Means to state or defend a claim confidently and directly.
indoctrinate
vs.Means teach people to accept a set of beliefs uncritically rather than evaluate competing ideas.
credulous
Means too ready to believe claims and therefore easily deceived.
indoctrinate
vs.Means teach people to accept a set of beliefs uncritically rather than evaluate competing ideas.
at face value
Means according only to the apparent or literal meaning, without deeper examination.
indoctrinate
vs.Means teach people to accept a set of beliefs uncritically rather than evaluate competing ideas.
repudiate
Means reject a claim, belief, agreement, or association as false, invalid, or unacceptable.
Test indoctrinate in Context
It trains students to accept beliefs without critical examination.
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A course that presents one doctrine as unquestionable may ___ students rather than teach them to reason independently.