brainwash C1 Topic:Describing Qualities US /ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/ See IPA manual Freq #30309 Meanings 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 AI details 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. Topics Describing Qualities External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # brainwash **Type:** Word **Level:** C1 **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/ **Frequency rank:** 30309 ## Meanings 1. To force someone to accept new beliefs by using strong pressure over a long time. ## Examples - The cult brainwashed its members into cutting off their families. ## Derived Forms - brainwashable - brainwashedness - brainwashee - brainwasher - brainwashy - unbrainwash ## 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. ## AI Etymology Brainwash is 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. In present-day use, it means to force someone to accept new beliefs by using strong pressure over a long time. Derived formations include brainwashable, brainwashedness, brainwashee, brainwasher, brainwashy. ## Topics - Describing Qualities markdown