brain-washing

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of systematically and forcibly altering a person's beliefs or attitudes: "brain-washing" refers to a process, often associated with coercive persuasion, by which an individual's existing beliefs, values, or loyalties are replaced with new ones, typically through psychological manipulation, isolation, and repetition of propaganda.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The regime subjected prisoners to a brutal form of brain-washing. (Forced alteration of beliefs through psychological manipulation.)
  • Critics argue that some cults use brain-washing techniques to control their members. (Systematic methods to change attitudes or loyalties.)
  • The concept of brain-washing has been controversial in political and psychological circles. (The idea of forced belief change is debated.)

Advanced Usage

• "to undergo brain-washing": to be subjected to the process of forced belief alteration.

  • He claimed he underwent brain-washing during his captivity. (He was forced to change his beliefs.)

• "brain-washing techniques": specific methods used in the process, such as sleep deprivation, isolation, or repetitive indoctrination.

  • The manual described brain-washing techniques used by extremist groups. (Specific coercive methods.)

Variants and Related Words

• Brainwash (verb): to subject someone to brain-washing.

  • The captors tried to brainwash the hostages into supporting their cause. (To forcibly alter beliefs.)

• Brainwashed (adjective): having been subjected to brain-washing.

  • The brainwashed followers blindly obeyed the leader's orders. (Those whose beliefs were forcibly altered.)

• Brainwasher (noun): a person who performs brain-washing.

  • The interrogator was known as a skilled brainwasher. (One who forces belief change.)

Synonyms

• Indoctrination: the process of teaching a person to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.
• Coercive persuasion: the use of pressure or force to change someone's mind.
• Mind control: a broader term for manipulating a person's thoughts or actions.
• Thought reform: a euphemistic term for brain-washing, often used in academic contexts.

Phrasal Verbs

• Wash out (related metaphorically): to remove or erase completely.
  • The training was designed to wash out all previous loyalties. (To eliminate existing beliefs.)

Related Idioms

• "to get one's brain washed": informal expression meaning to be subjected to brain-washing.

  • After months in the cult, she felt her brain had been washed. (Her beliefs were forcibly changed.)

• "to brainwash someone into something": to force someone to adopt a specific belief or action.

  • The propaganda brainwashed the public into supporting the war. (Forced acceptance of an idea.)