Brainwashed: meaning, definitions and examples
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brainwashed
[ ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃt ]
mind control
To brainwash someone means to manipulate their thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors through coercive techniques that often involve extreme psychological pressure. This term is commonly associated with indoctrination practices used in cults, military training, or extreme political movements. The process can lead individuals to accept beliefs or engage in behaviors they would normally reject. It typically requires a significant alteration in perception and can have lasting effects on the individual's identity.
Synonyms
coerced, indoctrinated, manipulated, programmed
Examples of usage
- He was brainwashed into believing a false narrative.
- The regime attempted to brainwash the population.
- She felt she had been brainwashed by the propaganda.
- Cults often brainwash their followers to control them.
Translations
Translations of the word "brainwashed" in other languages:
🇵🇹 lavado cerebral
🇮🇳 मस्तिष्क धोना
🇩🇪 gehirngewaschen
🇮🇩 cuci otak
🇺🇦 промитий мозок
🇵🇱 pranie mózgu
🇯🇵 洗脳された
🇫🇷 cérébralement manipulé
🇪🇸 lavado de cerebro
🇹🇷 beyin yıkanmış
🇰🇷 세뇌된
🇸🇦 غسل الدماغ
🇨🇿 vymytý mozek
🇸🇰 vymytý mozog
🇨🇳 洗脑
🇸🇮 oprati možgane
🇮🇸 heilaður heilinn
🇰🇿 ми brainwashed
🇬🇪 მოიხარშა ტვინი
🇦🇿 beyin yuyulmuş
🇲🇽 lavado de cerebro
Etymology
The term 'brainwash' emerged during the Korean War in the early 1950s, primarily associated with accounts of the so-called 'Chinese brainwashing' techniques that American soldiers were allegedly subjected to after being captured. The term is a combination of 'brain' and 'wash,' implying a cleansing or reprogramming of the mind. It quickly entered the lexicon of the Cold War era, used to describe the way totalitarian regimes could manipulate belief systems and identities. Additionally, the term has evolved over the years to encompass various forms of psychological manipulation seen in modern society, including advertising, propaganda, and social media influences. The concept raises ethical questions about free will, autonomy, and the power of language and persuasion in shaping individual thought.