propaganda
UK: ˌprɒpəˈɡændə | US: ˌprɑːpəˈɡændə
n. Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
n. Systematic dissemination of doctrines, ideas, or claims to influence public opinion.
propaganda = propaga<propagate, spread> + anda<noun suffix>
- propaga (from Latin propagare, meaning "to propagate, spread, extend")
- anda (a noun-forming suffix in Latin, often used in ecclesiastical contexts)
Etymology Origin:
The word propaganda originates from the Latin phrase Congregatio de Propaganda Fide ("Congregation for Propagating the Faith"), a committee established by the Catholic Church in 1622 to oversee missionary work. Over time, the term broadened to describe any systematic effort to spread ideas or influence perceptions, often with a connotation of bias or manipulation. The modern sense of "biased information" emerged in the early 20th century, particularly during World War I.
The government used propaganda to rally public support for the war.
Social media has become a powerful tool for spreading propaganda.
The documentary exposed the regime’s use of propaganda to control citizens.
During the election, both parties accused each other of distributing propaganda.
Historical posters often served as wartime propaganda to boost morale.