brainwash Definition
- 1to make someone believe something by repeatedly telling them that it is true and preventing any other information from reaching them
- 2to force someone to accept a particular set of beliefs by repeating the same idea many times so that the person cannot think in an independent way
Using brainwash: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "brainwash" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The cult tried to brainwash its members into believing that they were the only ones with the truth.
Example
The prisoners were brainwashed into confessing to crimes they didn't commit.
Example
The propaganda was designed to brainwash the masses into supporting the regime.
brainwash Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with brainwash
Example
The extremist group tried to brainwash his mind with their ideology.
to manipulate or influence someone into doing something against their will
Example
The kidnappers brainwashed him into becoming a terrorist.
Example
It took years of therapy to reverse the brainwash he experienced in the cult.
Origins of brainwash
from 'brain' + 'wash', coined in the Korean War by Edward Hunter, an American journalist
Summary: brainwash in Brief
'Brainwash' [breyn-wosh, -wawsh] is a verb that means to manipulate or influence someone's thoughts or beliefs by repeatedly telling them something until they accept it as true. It is often used in the context of cults or propaganda, as in 'The cult tried to brainwash its members into believing that they were the only ones with the truth.' The phrase 'brainwash someone's mind' is commonly used to describe the act of manipulating someone's beliefs, while 'reverse brainwash' refers to undoing the effects of brainwashing.
