propaganda

[ prop-uh-gan-duh ]

/ ˌprɒp əˈgæn də /

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See synonyms for propaganda on Thesaurus.com

noun

information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.

the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement.

Roman Catholic Church.

a committee of cardinals, established in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, having supervision over foreign missions and the training of priests for these missions.
a school (College of Propaganda ) established by Pope Urban VIII for the education of priests for foreign missions.

Archaic. an organization or movement for the spreading of propaganda.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of propaganda

1710–20; <New Latin, short for congregātiō dē propāgandā fidē congregation for propagating the faith; propāgandā, ablative singular feminine gerundive of propāgāre;see propagate

Words nearby propaganda

proof stress, proof theory, prop, propaedeutic, propagable, propaganda, propagandist, propagandize, propagate, propagated, propagation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use propaganda in a sentence

As China entered the 20th century, Mulan became a powerful figure of political propaganda.
The history of Mulan, from a 6th-century ballad to the live-action Disney movie|Constance Grady|September 4, 2020|Vox
The company describes its work as contributing directly to China’s national security, including military intelligence and propaganda.
How China surveils the world|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Finally, liberal democratic governments must bolster data privacy laws and rethink how to manage propaganda from both foreign and domestic sources in the digital age—but without compromising democratic values along the way.
How China surveils the world|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Some think the Cadastro could open the door to more targeted propaganda campaigns.
Brazil is sliding into techno-authoritarianism|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review

I mean, taking that to a propaganda level, and attacking another country for not having free markets.
How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War (Ep. 386 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|August 6, 2020|Freakonomics
This is not the first time the director has fallen for Russian propaganda.
Oliver Stone’s Latest Dictator Suckup|James Kirchick|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
President Park understood the power of cinema as propaganda.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To the Republic of Korea and United States military personnel stationed in the JSA, it is known as Propaganda Village.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not all Israeli gay propaganda is pinkwashing—a lot of it is good, old-fashioned PR to attract gay tourist dollars to Tel Aviv.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline|Jay Michaelson|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is no such thing as a gay lifestyle, except in right-wing propaganda to oppose LGBT equality.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline|Jay Michaelson|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is still a general tendency in universities on both sides of the Atlantic to treat propaganda as infection.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
I do not know how things are in America but in England there has been a ridiculous attempt to suppress Bolshevik propaganda.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
I have seen a lot of Bolshevik propaganda and it is not very convincing stuff.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Such a development of affairs would have greatly advanced the Anarchist propaganda.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
If I could only learn what propaganda is being made out of my act, and what the Girl and Fedya are doing!
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman

British Dictionary definitions for propaganda (1 of 2)

propaganda

/ (ˌprɒpəˈɡændə) /

noun

the organized dissemination of information, allegations, etc, to assist or damage the cause of a government, movement, etc

such information, allegations, etc

Derived forms of propaganda

propagandism, nounpropagandist, noun, adjective

Word Origin for propaganda

C18: from Italian, use of propāgandā in the New Latin title Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide Sacred Congregation for Propagating the Faith

British Dictionary definitions for propaganda (2 of 2)

Propaganda

/ (ˌprɒpəˈɡændə) /

noun

RC Church a congregation responsible for directing the work of the foreign missions and the training of priests for these

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for propaganda

propaganda

Official government communications to the public that are designed to influence opinion. The information may be true or false, but it is always carefully selected for its political effect.

propaganda

Origin of propaganda

Words nearby propaganda

Words related to propaganda

How to use propaganda in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for propaganda (1 of 2)

Derived forms of propaganda

Word Origin for propaganda

British Dictionary definitions for propaganda (2 of 2)

Cultural definitions for propaganda