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brainwashing - 7 dictionary results

brain⋅wash⋅ing

  [breyn-wosh-ing, -waw-shing]
Use brainwashing in a Sentence
–noun
1. a method for systematically changing attitudes or altering beliefs, originated in totalitarian countries, esp. through the use of torture, drugs, or psychological-stress techniques.
2. any method of controlled systematic indoctrination, esp. 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

brain⋅wash

  [breyn-wosh, -wawsh]
–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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To brainwashing
brain·wash   (brān'wŏsh', -wôsh')   
tr.v.   brain·washed, brain·wash·ing, brain·wash·es
To subject to brainwashing.
n.  The process or an instance of brainwashing.

[Back-formation from brainwashing.]
brain·wash·ing   (brān'wŏsh'ĭng, -wô'shĭng)   
n.  
  1. Intensive, forcible indoctrination, usually political or religious, aimed at destroying a person's basic convictions and attitudes and replacing them with an alternative set of fixed beliefs.
  2. The application of a concentrated means of persuasion, such as an advertising campaign or repeated suggestion, in order to develop a specific belief or motivation.

[Translation of Chinese (Mandarin) xǐ no : xǐ, to wash + no, brain.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

brainwashing

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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Main Entry: brain·wash·ing
Pronunciation: 'brAn-"wosh-i[ng], -"wäsh-
Function: noun
: a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to giveup basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas —brain·wash transitive verb —brainwash noun —brain·wash·er noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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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