Brainwash: meaning, definitions and examples

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brainwash

[ ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ ]

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control

To brainwash someone means to make them believe something by repeatedly telling them it is true, even if it is not. It involves manipulating someone's thoughts and beliefs to the point where they are no longer able to think critically or independently.

Synonyms

indoctrinate, manipulate, program

Examples of usage

They tried to brainwash the prisoners into confessing to crimes they didn't commit.
The cult leader used brainwashing techniques to control his followers and make them obedient.
She felt like she had been brainwashed by the constant propaganda.

Translations

Translations of the word "brainwash" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lavagem cerebral

🇮🇳 मस्तिष्क-धुलाई

🇩🇪 Gehirnwäsche

🇮🇩 cuci otak

🇺🇦 промивання мізків

🇵🇱 pranie mózgu

🇯🇵 洗脳 (せんのう)

🇫🇷 lavage de cerveau

🇪🇸 lavado de cerebro

🇹🇷 beyin yıkama

🇰🇷 세뇌 (se-noe)

🇸🇦 غسيل دماغ

🇨🇿 vymývání mozku

🇸🇰 vymývanie mozgu

🇨🇳 洗脑 (xǐnǎo)

🇸🇮 pranje možganov

🇮🇸 heilaþvottur

🇰🇿 миын жуу

🇬🇪 ტვინის გამორეცხვა

🇦🇿 beyin yuma

🇲🇽 lavado de cerebro

Word origin

The term 'brainwash' originated during the Korean War in the 1950s, when American prisoners of war were subjected to intense psychological manipulation by their captors. The word combines 'brain' and 'wash' to suggest the idea of cleansing or purifying the mind. Since then, 'brainwash' has become a commonly used term to describe coercive persuasion techniques.