Meanings
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1
verb
To force someone to accept new beliefs by using strong pressure over a long time.
The cult brainwashed its members into cutting off their families.
Thesaurus
Word family
Forms
brainwashedbrainwashes
Derived forms
brainwashablebrainwashednessbrainwasheebrainwasherbrainwashyunbrainwash
Etymology
From brain + wash, a calque of Chinese 洗腦 /洗脑 (xǐnǎo), literally to wash the brain. Usage via U.S. military during the Korean War.