brainwashing

[breyn-wosh-ing, -waw-shing] /ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ ɪŋ, -ˌwɔ ʃɪŋ/
noun
1.
a method for systematically changing attitudes or altering beliefs, originated in totalitarian countries, especially through the use of torture, drugs, or psychological-stress techniques.
2.
any method of controlled systematic indoctrination, especially one based on repetition or confusion:
brainwashing by TV commercials.
3.
an instance of subjecting or being subjected to such techniques:
efforts to halt the brainwashing of captive audiences.
Also, brain-washing, brain washing.
Origin
1945-50; brain + washing

brainwash

[breyn-wosh, -wawsh] /ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ, -ˌwɔʃ/
verb (used with object)
1.
to cause (someone) to undergo brainwashing.
noun
2.
the process of brainwashing.
3.
a subjection to brainwashing.
Also, brain-wash, brain wash.
Origin
1950-55; back formation from brainwashing
Related forms
brainwasher, noun
Examples from the web for brainwashing
  • The public perceives this intellectual suppression, which is a form of attempted brainwashing and socialist inculcation.
  • Nor can its survival be ascribed simply to the effective brainwashing of the population.
  • It is not a gross exaggeration that the whole population are subject to brainwashing every day.
  • They seem to have operated with insufficient background brainwashing.
  • Doctors should determine if a patient needs medicine and procedures, not brainwashing with constant advertising.
  • Else be accused of brainwashing by limiting perspective.
  • But they might buy in a little bit to all this brainwashing.
  • She said that appellee accused her of brainwashing the children and that appellee left without the children.
  • We were essentially brainwashing ourselves into thinking that everyone was buying the books.
  • And one of the ways they do that is by isolating them and bombarding them with messages and, in a sense, brainwashing them.
British Dictionary definitions for brainwashing

brainwash

/ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ/
verb
1.
(transitive) to effect a radical change in the ideas and beliefs of (a person), esp by methods based on isolation, sleeplessness, hunger, extreme discomfort, pain, and the alternation of kindness and cruelty
Derived Forms
brainwasher, noun
brainwashing, noun
Word Origin and History for brainwashing
n.

1950, a literal translation of Chinese xi nao. A term from the Korean War.

brainwash

v.

1955 (past participle adjective brainwashed attested from 1953); see brainwashing.

brainwashing in Medicine

brainwashing brain·wash·ing (brān'wŏsh'ĭng)
n.
Inducing a person to modify his or her beliefs, attitudes, or behavior by conditioning through various forms of pressure or torture.

brainwashing in Culture

brainwashing definition


Indoctrination that forces people to abandon their beliefs in favor of another set of beliefs. Usually associated with military and political interrogation and religious conversion, brainwashing attempts, through prolonged stress, to break down an individual's physical and mental defenses. Brainwashing techniques range from vocal persuasion and threats to punishment, physical deprivation, mind-altering drugs, and severe physical torture.

Slang definitions & phrases for brainwashing

brainwash

noun

: Your line is persuasive, virtually a brainwash

verb
  1. To cause profound attitudinal changes, usually in a prisoner, by psychological conditioning, supplemented by drugs and physical abuse
  2. To change or influence someone's opinions or attitude by methods less stringent than those used on prisoners: They were brainwashed into joining that crazy cult

[1950s+; fr Chinese hsi nao, ''wash brain,'' which came into US use during and after the Korean War, apparently because of its use by North Koreans and their Chinese allies as custodians of US prisoners of war]