propaganda

American  

[prop-uh-gan-duh] / ˌprɒp əˈgæn də /

noun

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

2. the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.

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

4. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a committee of cardinals, established in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, having supervision over foreign missions and the training of priests for these missions.

   2. a school College of Propaganda established by Pope Urban VIII for the education of priests for foreign missions.

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

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Propaganda ¹ British  

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

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

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propaganda ² British  

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændə /

noun

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

2. such information, allegations, etc

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propaganda Cultural  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• propagandism noun
• propagandist noun

Etymology

Origin of propaganda

First recorded in 1710–20; from New Latin, short for congregātiō dē propāgandā fidē “congregation for propagating the faith”; propāgandā, ablative singular feminine gerundive of propāgāre; propagate

Example Sentences

Since 2021, she has been serving a 13-year sentence for "propaganda activity against the state" and "collusion against state security", charges she denies.

From BBC

He’s feared, yes, but only by those who believe propaganda that the villains spew.

From The Wall Street Journal

In any case he was certain a free press was safer for the republic than what would otherwise become government censorship and propaganda.

From The Wall Street Journal

“But what if the study was paid for by Chips Ahoy? Or Mrs. Fields or some other company that makes chocolate chip cookies? They’re like bending the truth, and then it becomes like propaganda.”

From Literature

Since becoming the party’s propaganda minister in 2022, Li has championed Xi’s program to invoke Chinese arts, traditions and history to justify Communist rule and boost Beijing’s soft power.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disinformation
• hype
• indoctrination
• publicity