propagandize

American  

[prop-uh-gan-dahyz] / ˌprɒp əˈgæn daɪz /

especially British, propagandise

verb (used with object)

propagandized, propagandizing

1. to subject to propaganda.

   The Foreign Affairs department developed a plan to propagandize enemy countries.

2. to propagate or publicize (principles, dogma, etc.) by means of propaganda.

   The newspaper was accused of propagandizing state-approved stories rather than providing factual coverage.

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verb (used without object)

propagandized, propagandizing

1. to carry on or disseminate propaganda.

   Government agencies are supposed to be politically neutral, and are not supposed to propagandize in favor of specific agendas.

propagandize British  

/ ˌprɒpəˈɡændaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to spread by propaganda

2. (tr) to subject to propaganda

3. (intr) to spread or organize propaganda

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Etymology

Origin of propagandize

First recorded in 1835–45; propagand(a) + -ize

Explanation

To propagandize is to spread biased information that supports a particular political viewpoint. Most governments have been known to propagandize in an attempt to influence the perception (and behavior) of their citizens. A government might propagandize at the start of a war to rally support, and political protesters may propagandize to raise awareness of an issue or inspire others to get involved with their cause. Corporations sometimes propagandize to influence buyers and investors. These groups could print posters and flyers or run radio and TV ads spreading their message. The earliest so-called propagandizing was done by eighteenth century Catholic cardinals whose mission was to "propagate the faith."

Example Sentences

“Everywhere you look, there’s branding and advertising. It has the secondary or tertiary effect of causing people to then want to act out and propagandize themselves.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2025

Xi is ready, as expected, to propagandize China’s greatness.

From Washington Post • Feb. 4, 2022

He is successful at recruiting the red priests to propagandize for him and is clearly moving toward better crime management before the slave masters attempt to sack the city.

From Salon • May 7, 2019

“They do not have the right to propagandize their hideousness.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2018

The British War Office was, too, and made the most of the story to propagandize its tired veterans and its late-drafted youths who had been denied part in war by the sudden Armistice.

From The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 by Jahns, Lewis E.