brainwash

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to persuade completely, often through coercion

   The propaganda brainwashed many people.

2. 2
   verb

   To persuade completely and forcibly.

   The news media brainwashed many people.

3. 3
   noun

   A distorting effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas, as by propaganda.

4. 4
   verb

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

5. 5
   verb

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

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.