brainwashing

noun

brain·​wash·​ing ˈbrān-ˌwȯ-shiŋ How to pronounce brainwashing (audio)
-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 transitive verb
brainwash noun
brainwasher noun

Examples of brainwashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If these universities are truly the factories of leftist brainwashing that conservatives claim, shouldn’t these men have emerged as progressive ideologues themselves? James Unnever, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025 For recent historians of brainwashing, the issue carries high contemporary stakes. Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025 The whole Carnival experience is actually a fine line between indoctrination, brainwashing and glorious community building. Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 If brainwashing doesn’t work, defendants can hardly claim it as a defense. Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brainwashing

Word History

Etymology

translation of Chinese (Beijing) xǐnǎo

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brainwashing was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brainwashing. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

brainwashing

noun
brain·​wash·​ing ˈbrān-ˌwȯsh-iŋ, -ˌwäsh- How to pronounce brainwashing (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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