Definitions for brainwash
ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ, -ˌwɔʃbrain·wash

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. brainwashverb

   persuade completely, often through coercion

   "The propaganda brainwashed many people"

2. brainwashverb

   submit to brainwashing; indoctrinate forcibly

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. brainwashnoun

   An effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas.

2. brainwashverb

   To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (i.e. hypnosis)

3. brainwashverb

   To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)

4. Etymology: A calque of the Chinese 洗脑 (Pinyin: xǐ năo), literally "to wash the brain". Usage via U.S. military during Korean War.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. brainwash

   Brainwashing (also known as mind control, menticide, coercive persuasion, thought control, thought reform, and forced re-education) is the concept that the human mind can be altered or controlled by certain psychological techniques. Brainwashing is said to reduce its subjects' ability to think critically or independently, to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into their minds, as well as to change their attitudes, values and beliefs.The term "brainwashing" was first used in English by Edward Hunter in 1950 to describe how the Chinese government appeared to make people cooperate with them during Korean War. Research into the concept also looked at Nazi Germany, at some criminal cases in the United States, and at the actions of human traffickers. In the late 1960s and 1970s, there was considerable scientific and legal debate, as well as media attention, about the possibility of brainwashing being a factor when Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was used, or in the conversion of people to groups which are considered to be cults. The concept of brainwashing is sometimes involved in lawsuits, especially regarding child custody. It can also be a theme in science fiction and in political and corporate culture. In casual speech, "brainwashing" and its verb form, "brainwash", are used figuratively to describe the use of propaganda to persuade or sway public opinion. The concept of brainwashing is not generally accepted as a scientific term.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. brainwash

   Brainwash refers to the act or process of pressuring, influencing, or manipulating someone's beliefs, attitudes or thoughts, often through systematic and repeated practices such as persuasion, propaganda, or indoctrination, often to achieve certain predetermined results or outcomes. This might be applied in religious, political, commercial, or other contexts and can result in the individual's thoughts and decisions being significantly controlled or influenced by the person or group doing the brainwashing.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. brainwash

   Song lyrics by brainwash -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by brainwash on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Indoctrinate
   • Persuade

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

1. [["1904","2"],["1936","1"],["1948","1"],["1952","2"],["1953","6"],["1954","11"],["1955","18"],["1956","32"],["1957","56"],["1958","47"],["1959","104"],["1960","80"],["1961","78"],["1962","135"],["1963","186"],["1964","128"],["1965","195"],["1966","146"],["1967","276"],["1968","294"],["1969","239"],["1970","342"],["1971","392"],["1972","332"],["1973","343"],["1974","311"],["1975","297"],["1976","364"],["1977","314"],["1978","282"],["1979","281"],["1980","320"],["1981","296"],["1982","281"],["1983","330"],["1984","332"],["1985","382"],["1986","326"],["1987","309"],["1988","438"],["1989","415"],["1990","471"],["1991","462"],["1992","480"],["1993","486"],["1994","493"],["1995","600"],["1996","580"],["1997","618"],["1998","656"],["1999","725"],["2000","857"],["2001","840"],["2002","1016"],["2003","1080"],["2004","1365"],["2005","1313"],["2006","1327"],["2007","1326"],["2008","1225"]]

How to pronounce brainwash?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say brainwash in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of brainwash in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of brainwash in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of brainwash in a Sentence

1. Robert Baumann:

   Dear C, If I let them take her and vaccinate her and brainwash her, I wouldn't be doing what's right. I cannot let a judge tell me how my daughter should be raised. We will miss you, but I had to leave. I know she will be safer and happier with my family and I. Love, Meg and Lilly. i think if something was to happen to my daughter, I don't think Megan's going to go and seek medical attention.

2. Prime Minister Tony Abbott:

   It is absolutely critical that the people of Australia appreciate that the death cult is reaching out to vulnerable and impressionable young people, the death cult is reaching out, seeking effectively to brainwash people online.

3. Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe:

   I did some checking, (T)he stuff that they teach our kids nowadays, they are brainwash -- you have to un-brainwash them when they get out.

4. Fox News:

   They use the CNN brand to brainwash and control their populations.

5. Kevin McGary:

   They’re undermining our children, they are taking the position as if they have the right to propagandize them, brainwash them and then use them for radical purposes with radical ends.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=brainwash
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Brainwash
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwash
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=brainwash