brainwashing
Use Brainwashing in a sentence
ɪŋ, -ˌwɔ 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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.
Related forms
brain·wash·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To brainwashing
00:10
Brainwashing
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
brainwash (ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| (tr) 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 | |
| 'brainwasher | |
| —n | |
| 'brainwashing | |
| —n | |
| brainwash (ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ) | |
| —vb | |
| (tr) 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 | |
| 'brainwasher | |
| —n | |
| 'brainwashing | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
brainwashing
1950, a literal translation of Chinese xi nao. A term from the Korean War. The verb brainwash is recorded from 1955, but the pp. adj. brainwashed is attested from 1953.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
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.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
And one of the ways they do that is by isolating them and bombarding them with messages and, in a sense, brainwashing them.
The city had argued that the center allegedly was brainwashing and financially exploiting its members.
We were essentially brainwashing ourselves into thinking that everyone was buying the books.
It is not a gross exaggeration that the whole population are subject to brainwashing every day.
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