deprogram
verb
de·pro·gram
(ˌ)dē-ˈprō-ˌgram 
-grəm
deprogramed or deprogrammed; deprograming or deprogramming; deprograms
: to dissuade or try to dissuade from strongly held convictions (such as religious beliefs) or a firmly established or innate behavior
the necessity of countering propaganda and deprogramming the indoctrinated—
Toni Cade Bambara
Toni Cade BambaraExamples of deprogram in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But her ambition, more radical than theirs, was to deprogram and rewire a reader’s brain, frustrating her ingrained expectations for the emotional rewards of great literature.
—Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
From the director of American Psycho, Mary Harron’s Charlie Says revolves around writer Karlene Faith’s (Merritt Wever) attempt to deprogram former female members of the Manson Family.
—Will Harris, EW.com, 30 July 2024
The actor stars as the chimp Noa in 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'
Owen Teague had to deprogram his animal side after transforming into a young chimp for his latest role.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024
Ramer is political director for the Republican Accountability Project, a group working to deprogram members of the Cult of Trump.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2023
Last year, Saudi officials informed me that the crown prince had a new plan to deprogram jihadists.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2022
Jeffery Robinson has spent the past decade attempting to deprogram his fellow Americans.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Jan. 2022
We’re left with Eugene in deep trouble, the mystery of the Commonwealth deepening, and a likely heartbreaking end to Daryl’s attempt to deprogram Leah.
—Richard Rys, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2021
That was lesson number one for me: never let an opportunity to deprogram inbuilt fears that stunt your personal growth pass you by.
—Essence, 30 July 2021
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Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
From the director of American Psycho, Mary Harron’s Charlie Says revolves around writer Karlene Faith’s (Merritt Wever) attempt to deprogram former female members of the Manson Family.
—Will Harris, EW.com, 30 July 2024
The actor stars as the chimp Noa in 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'
Owen Teague had to deprogram his animal side after transforming into a young chimp for his latest role.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024
Ramer is political director for the Republican Accountability Project, a group working to deprogram members of the Cult of Trump.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2023
Last year, Saudi officials informed me that the crown prince had a new plan to deprogram jihadists.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2022
Jeffery Robinson has spent the past decade attempting to deprogram his fellow Americans.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Jan. 2022
We’re left with Eugene in deep trouble, the mystery of the Commonwealth deepening, and a likely heartbreaking end to Daryl’s attempt to deprogram Leah.
—Richard Rys, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2021
That was lesson number one for me: never let an opportunity to deprogram inbuilt fears that stunt your personal growth pass you by.
—Essence, 30 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Deprogram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deprogram. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
deprogram
transitive verb
de·pro·gram
variants
or chiefly British deprogramme
(ˌ)dē-ˈprō-ˌgram, -grəm
deprogrammed also deprogramed; deprogramming also deprograming
: to dissuade or try to dissuade from strongly held convictions (as of a religious nature) or a firmly established or innate behavior pattern
the necessity of countering propaganda and deprogramming the indoctrinated—Toni Cade Bambara
Toni Cade BambaraLove words? Need even more definitions?
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