What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indoctrinate
Example
The school aims to indoctrinate students with a sense of patriotism. [indoctrinate: verb]
Example
The political party is accused of indoctrinating its members with extremist views. [indoctrinating: present participle]
brainwash
Example
The cult leader brainwashed his followers into believing he was a messiah. [brainwashed: past tense]
Example
The prisoner was subjected to intense interrogation and brainwashing techniques. [brainwashing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brainwash is more commonly used than indoctrinate in everyday language. However, brainwash has a negative connotation and is often associated with extreme cases of manipulation or coercion. Indoctrinate is less common but can have a neutral or positive connotation depending on the context.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between indoctrinate and brainwash?
Both indoctrinate and brainwash are formal words and are typically used in serious or academic contexts. However, brainwash is more informal and can also be used in colloquial language to describe less extreme cases of manipulation or persuasion.
