brainwashing

brain·wash·ing | \ ˈbrān-ˌwȯ-shiŋ

How to pronounce brainwashing (audio)

, -ˌwä- \

Definition of brainwashing

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

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Examples of brainwashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In Demi’s issue, a glossy ad for Gucci printed in the pages before the magazine masthead is jammed with a subtle, studied brainwashing. — Cintra Wilson, The New York Review of Books, "Waste Not, Shop Not," 11 Feb. 2020 Documents from state authorities leaked earlier this year revealed the camps were designed for ideological transformation, political brainwashing and erasing culture. — Linda Givetash, NBC News, "Soccer star Mesut Özil under fire for criticizing China's Muslim detention camps," 15 Dec. 2019 This is the story of what happens to kids in war, what happens to the mind under a kind of brainwashing, especially a susceptible teenage mind. — Mark Olsenstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Indie Focus: ‘Hustlers’ takes the stage," 13 Sep. 2019 Mantras then are a kind of healthy, self-imposed brainwashing that puts the brain in a calm state. — Ephrat Livni, Quartzy, "Use these mantras to start, power through, and finish your day," 10 Aug. 2019 It’s my personal brainwashing technique—efficient, effective, and free. — Ephrat Livni, Quartzy, "Use these mantras to start, power through, and finish your day," 10 Aug. 2019 All countries have cults, and being well schooled is no protection against brainwashing. — The Economist, "On the hanging of Shoko Asahara, Japan’s nerve-gas guru," 12 July 2018 The wives expect completely unnatural emotional reactions from the handmaids, and even Aunt Lydia’s brutal brainwashing isn’t enough to put the handmaids’ brains in line with the wives’ expectations. — Rena Gross, Billboard, "14 Significant Moments From 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 2, Episode 10 'The Last Ceremony'," 20 June 2018 Their brainwashing process, according to students of the matter, severs individuals’ connections to outside supports like family and friends. — Win Mccormack, The New Republic, "A Mind’s Eye View of 1984," 12 Apr. 2018

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

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Cite this Entry

“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brainwashing. Accessed 29 May. 2020.

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