French word

propagande

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁopagɑ̃d/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpropaganda

Example

Ils utilisent la propagande pour convaincre les électeurs.

They use propaganda to convince voters.

Illustration for propagande (propaganda)

More examples

On accuse la chaîne de faire de la propagande.

The channel is accused of engaging in propaganda.

Core concept

A stream of selected ideas sent through the public to shape how people judge an issue.

Common phrases

  • faire de la propagande

    engage in propaganda

  • propagande politique

    political propaganda

  • propagande électorale

    electoral propaganda

Similar words

publicité: Commercial promotion that informs people about products or services and encourages purchases.
annonce: A brief notice or advertisement about an event, product, or service.
désinformation: False information deliberately spread to mislead people.
manipulation: The skillful control of someone's emotions or judgment for one's own ends.

Definition in French

Action de diffuser des idées ou des informations dans le but d'influencer l'opinion publique, souvent de manière politique ou partisane.

Word origin

French propagande comes from Latin propagare, 'to spread', through the name of the Catholic Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.

Usage tips

  • Propagande often suggests political or partisan influence, while publicité is more neutral for commercial promotion and annonce for an individual notice.

Opposites

Related words

  • propagandistepropagandistnoun
  • propagandismepropagandismnoun

Word lists with this word