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

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

Even if their minds are someday freed after Putin’s regime collapses, propagandistic brainwashing also takes time to undo. —Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024

Coriolanus says this to Katniss in Mockingjay Part 2 after Peeta and other captive victors are extracted from the Capitol, to forewarn of Peeta's brainwashing. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2023

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