propaganda by the deed

A form of propaganda of the deed — A politically motivated act of violence, meant to broadcast an ideological message and serve as catalyst to ignite a spirit of socialist revolution among the proletariat against perceived oppressors.

OriginFrench propagande par le fait →
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Meanings

nounpropaganda by the deed (uncountable)
  1. alternativeuncountableAlternative form of propaganda of the deed.

Origin

  1. Frenchpropagande par le fait
  2. Englishpropaganda by the deed

Calque of French propagande par le fait, from propagande (“propaganda”) and fait (“deed, act, action”); a phrasal usage originating among 19th century insurrectionary anarchist communists.

More words from French

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

propaganda by the deed. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/propaganda%20by%20the%20deed

MLA

“propaganda by the deed.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/propaganda%20by%20the%20deed. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “propaganda by the deed,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/propaganda%20by%20the%20deed.

Source: propaganda by the deed on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.