What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
propaganda
Example
The government's propaganda campaign aimed to convince citizens to support the new policy. [propaganda: noun]
Example
The political party used propaganda to sway voters in their favor. [propagandistic: adjective]
manipulation
Example
The salesman's manipulation tactics made me feel uncomfortable. [manipulation: noun]
Example
The politician was accused of manipulating the public with false promises. [manipulative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Manipulation is more commonly used than propaganda in everyday language, as it can refer to a wider range of situations and contexts. However, propaganda is still commonly used in discussions of politics, media, and social issues.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between propaganda and manipulation?
Both propaganda and manipulation can be used in formal and informal contexts, but propaganda may be more associated with formal or academic language due to its historical and political connotations.