brainwashing

noun

brain·​wash·​ing ˈbrān-ˌwȯ-shiŋ 

-ˌwä-

1

: a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas

2

: persuasion by propaganda or salesmanship

brainwash

ˈbrān-ˌwȯsh 

-ˌwäsh

transitive verb

brainwash noun

brainwasher noun

Examples of brainwashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In another encouraging sign, the bot was unable to talk people out of beliefs in conspiracies that were actually true, such as the CIA’s covert MK-Ultra project that used unwitting subjects to test whether drugs, torture or brainwashing could enhance interrogations. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2024

Someone activates the long-dormant brainwashing in super-soldier Isaiah Bradley (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Carl Lumbly), who then attacks the president, revealing Ross' inner circle has been compromised and there's an international incident on their hands. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 29 July 2024

Back then, the majority of people supported this policy, either from fear, years of brainwashing, or habitual obedience to the government. —Su Cici, Foreign Affairs, 10 May 2016

According to teens who have been rescued from one of these camps, children are being subjected to out-and-out brainwashing. —Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

translation of Chinese (Beijing) xǐnǎo

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

brainwashing

noun

brain·​wash·​ing ˈbrān-ˌwȯsh-iŋ, -ˌwäsh- 

: a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas

brainwash transitive verb

brainwash noun

brainwasher noun