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Brainwash definition

brānwŏsh, -wôsh
brainwashed brainwashes brainwashing
See word origin
Frequency:
To subject to brainwashing.
verb
5
1
The process or an instance of brainwashing.
noun
4
1
To brainwash is to change someone's beliefs or attitudes using intense teaching and indoctrination.

An example of brainwash is to lock new religious converts in a room and teach them the details of a religion without allowing access to the outside world.

verb
3
0
(informal) To indoctrinate so intensively and thoroughly as to effect a radical transformation of beliefs and mental attitudes.
verb
3
1
To subject to brainwashing.
verb
2
0
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The process or an instance of brainwashing.
noun
1
0
An effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas.
noun
0
0
To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (i.e. hypnosis)
verb
0
0
(figuratively, dated) To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
verb
0
0

Origin of brainwash

  • Back-formation from brainwashing

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • A calque of the Chinese 洗脑 (xǐ nǎo), literally "to wash the brain". Usage via U.S. military during Korean War.

    From Wiktionary