deprogram
Americanverb (used with object)
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to free (a convert) from the influence of a religious cult, political indoctrination, etc., by intensive persuasion or reeducation.
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to retrain, as for the purpose of eliminating or replacing a learned or acquired behavior pattern or habit that is undesirable or unsuitable.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deprogram
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Steven Hassan is one of the world's leading experts on cults and other dangerous organizations, as well as how to deprogram people who have succumbed to "mind control."
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2023
“It takes a lot for someone, once they’ve been indoctrinated, to deprogram them, and that’s a lot of what the story is about,” said Williams.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2022
“We have to kind of deprogram people and help them understand that’s not really the way it works.”
From New York Times ● Jan. 28, 2022
It is hard work to deprogram ourselves of institutionalized language, even for the best of those reporting on abuses in the criminal legal system, even for me at times.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 18, 2020
I deprogram the air filters and open the windows.
From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
Seeing my devastation, he concocted a weak compliment--"nice growth formation of the hair"--but I was already woefully deprogramed.
From Time Magazine Archive
Back in July, Stout posted a TikTok where she explains how she essentially deprogrammed herself from far-right ideology, and it went viral—it has over 3 million views.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2025
“We are getting deprogrammed right now,” he said with a rueful chuckle.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 23, 2022
This is essential listening for anyone who’s ever been in the grips of the diet industrial complex, and wants to get deprogrammed.
From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2022
“He’s been deprogrammed and he can no longer hide from all that baggage,” says Spellman.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2021
Scott never found out that his mother deprogrammed the VCR, cleared its memory and 'Twelved' the clock an hour before he arrived to show her how to use it.
From Terminal Compromise: computer terrorism: when privacy and freedom are the victims: a novel by Winn Schwartau
"Counter-terrorism police and Prevent are excellent at deprogramming children who have been caught into ideological movements," she told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Braxton: Meredith, my hope is one day deprogramming you away from those horrid “Housewives.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2023
While the latter is in serious need of a deprogramming.
From Seattle Times ● May 21, 2022
One of my closest friends worked with Ted Patrick back in the 1980s, deprogramming cult members who'd been kidnapped or lured away from their cults.
From Salon ● Nov. 16, 2021
The name of the game is deprogramming, according to Dr. Cheryl Fuller, a Jungian psychotherapist with whom I discussed your question.
From Slate ● Jun. 21, 2021
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