deprogram

D2E1P3R1O1G2R1A1M3

verb

To counteract the effects of previous programming or brainwashing, especially in an attempt to persuade (a person) to abandon allegiance to a cult.

OriginEnglish program ← Latin dē- ← Proto-Italic *dē →
Scrabble 15
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Meanings

verbdeprogram (third-person singular simple present deprograms, present participle deprogramming or (rare) deprograming, simple past and past participle deprogrammed or (rare) deprogramed)

present singular third person deprograms · participle present deprogramming · participle present rare deprograming · participle past deprogrammed · past deprogrammed · participle past rare deprogramed · past rare deprogramed · alternative deprogramme

  1. transitiveTo counteract the effects of previous programming or brainwashing, especially in an attempt to persuade (a person) to abandon allegiance to a cult.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
mindwipe

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*de
  2. Proto-Indo-European*déh₁
  3. Proto-Italic*dē
  4. Latindē
  5. Latindē-
  6. Englishde-
  7. Englishprogram
  8. Englishdeprogram

From de- + program.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Russian распрограммировать
  • распрограммировать (rasprogrammirovat')to counteract the effects of previous programming or brainwashing
Cite this entry
APA

deprogram. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deprogram

MLA

“deprogram.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deprogram. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “deprogram,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deprogram.

Source: deprogram on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.