brainwashing

noun

brain·wash·ing | \ ˈbrān-ˌwȯ-shiŋ

, -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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Other Words from brainwashing

brainwash \ ˈbrān-ˌwȯsh

, -ˌwäsh \ transitive verb

brainwash noun

brainwasher noun

Examples of brainwashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After some kick-ass action, Barnes seems to be at least partially released of his brainwashing by the action of the film. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2021 And how strange things that can happen between human beings, and the mechanism, brainwashing and all that. — Risa Sarachan, Forbes, 13 May 2021 Shuri, the sister of the Black Panther/King T’Challa of Wakanda, helped Bucky overcome his brainwashing. — Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2021 This is Granny Goodness, another servant of Darkseid who trains elite soldiers for her lord using a combination of sadism, torture, and brainwashing. — James Grebey, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2021 In some cases, deprogrammers would kidnap a group member, detain them for hours or days, and use arguments and videos to try to undo the brainwashing. — Michael Schulson/undark, Popular Science, 4 Mar. 2021 Reyes said lawyers who wish to make a case for brainwashing or political radicalization would have to demonstrate that their clients have a strong enough mental disability to prevent them from knowing right from wrong. — Kevin Krause, Dallas News, 31 Jan. 2021 But these practices strike me as forms of self-brainwashing. — John Horgan, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2020 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, 11 Feb. 2020

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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Last Updated

17 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brainwashing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for brainwashing

brainwashing

noun

brain·wash·ing | \ ˈbrān-ˌwȯsh-iŋ, -ˌwäsh-

Medical Definition of brainwashing

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