verb
brainwash
BRAYN-wosh
verb
1
To forcibly and systematically pressure someone into abandoning their existing beliefs and adopting new ones.
"The cult tried to brainwash new members within days of joining."
"She felt like the constant propaganda was designed to brainwash the public."
How to Use Brainwash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo manipulate someone into changing their beliefs through intense, repeated pressure rather than honest persuasion.
Common pairings
brainwashed into
brainwash the masses
Word Forms
brainwashed past tense, brainwashes plural, brainwashes singular
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The cult tried to _____ new members within days of joining.
Etymology
A literal translation of a Chinese phrase meaning "wash brain," which entered English usage during the Korean War.