1. to free someone from the influence of a religious cult or extremist group through counseling or other methods
Usage: often used in contexts involving cult recovery

Examples

• The family hired specialists to deprogram their daughter after she joined the cult.
• It took months of therapy to deprogram the former sect members.
• Support groups help deprogram individuals who have left extremist organizations.
• The counselor worked to deprogram the harmful beliefs instilled by the group.
• Parents often struggle with how to deprogram children who have been influenced by radical ideologies.
• The documentary showed how difficult it can be to deprogram someone from a controlling religious movement.