spin doctor

noun

Definition of spin doctor

: a person (such as a political aide) responsible for ensuring that others interpret an event from a particular point of view

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Other Words from spin doctor

spin-doctor \ ˈspin-​ˌdäk-​tər How to pronounce spin-doctor (audio) \ verb

Examples of spin doctor in a Sentence

The spin doctors from both sides were already declaring victory for their candidates as soon as the debate ended.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Daily Mirror revealed Monday that Lee Cain, who has been appointed as Boris Johnson’s chief spin doctor, worked as a journalist for the left-leaning tabloid newspaper. Boris Johnson, Fox News, "Boris Johnson’s new communications head used to follow British politicians dressed as giant chicken," 30 July 2019 That’s still a long way off, any service members stranded in danger before then can still count on an improved chance of rescue thanks to this new spin doctor. Eric Adams, WIRED, "The Air Force's New Rescue Chopper Flies Farther Than Ever," 19 July 2019 There are many intriguing dinners over which the pair allegedly cracked their plan with the help of a solicitor, a professional spin doctor, and eventually a journalist, Penny Junor, who was commissioned to portray Camilla well at Diana’s expense. Kenzie Bryant, Vanities, "What’s the Deal with Camilla, Diana, and Prince Charles’s Bathroom Warfare?," 21 Mar. 2018 Putin, perhaps with an eye to posterity, has been trying to rehabilitate the reputation of the deceased tyrant and mass murderer — a task that will challenge the skills of his spin doctors. Gary Thompson, Philly.com, "'Death of Stalin': See it because Putin doesn't want you to, and because it's funny," 21 Mar. 2018 The political spin doctors were out in full force Wednesday, as Republicans licked their wounds from an embarrassing loss and Democrats bellowed with confidence after winning a Pennsylvania district that Donald Trump took by 20 points in 2016. Astead W. Herndon, BostonGlobe.com, "First, it looked like a Democratic wave. Now, it looks like a tsunami," 14 Mar. 2018 Roosevelt’s spin doctors had always been perplexed that some wartime sound bites caught on while others did not. Abigail Tucker, Smithsonian, "A 21st-Century Reimagining of Norman Rockwell’s “Four Freedoms”," 23 Feb. 2018 The public relations spin doctors are working overtime at Apple this week. Josh Hoxie, Fortune, "Commentary: Apple Avoided $40 Billion in Taxes. Now It Wants a Gold Star?," 18 Jan. 2018 Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's ex-communications chief and former Labour Party spin doctor, has spilled the beans in his latest batch of diaries (H/T The Sunday Times). SI.com, "Ruud van Nistelrooy & Cristiano Ronaldo Relationship Revealed as Deciding Factor Into Striker's Exit," 24 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spin doctor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of spin doctor

1984, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for spin doctor

spin doctor

noun

English Language Learners Definition of spin doctor

informal : a person (such as a political aide) whose job involves trying to control the way something (such as an important event) is described to the public in order to influence what people think about it