Definition

1. Verb:
   • To subject someone to intensive, forceful indoctrination: To make someone adopt radically different beliefs or opinions by using systematic and often coercive psychological pressure over a period of time.
   • To persuade someone completely, often through coercion or relentless repetition: To cause someone to accept ideas uncritically by using manipulative or overwhelming methods.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • The cult leader used isolation and repetitive lectures to brainwash his followers.
  • Authoritarian regimes often try to brainwash their citizens through state-controlled media.
  • The advertisement campaign was so intense, it felt like they were trying to brainwash consumers into buying the product.

Advanced Usage

• "to brainwash someone into doing something": To use brainwashing techniques to compel a specific action.
  • The criminals attempted to brainwash the hostage into believing his family had abandoned him.
• "to be brainwashed": (Passive voice) Describes the state of having been subjected to brainwashing.
  • After escaping the group, she needed years of therapy to recover from being brainwashed.

Variants and Related Words

• Brainwashing (n): The process or practice of brainwashing.
  • The documentary exposed the techniques of political brainwashing.
• Brainwasher (n): A person who brainwashes others.
  • The interrogator was known as a ruthless brainwasher.

Synonyms

• Indoctrinate: To teach a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.
• Program: To cause someone to think or behave in a predetermined way (informal, similar connotation).
• Inculcate: To instill an idea, attitude, or habit by persistent instruction.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Brainwash" is not typically used with phrasal verbs. The action is generally expressed directly or with prepositions like "into.")

Related Idioms

• "Drink the Kool-Aid": (Idiom) To become an unquestioning believer in a doctrine or ideology, often used in contexts similar to brainwashing.
  • After joining the company, he completely drank the Kool-Aid and wouldn't hear any criticism of its policies.

Verb

1. submit to brainwashing; indoctrinate forcibly
2. persuade completely, often through coercion
   • The propaganda brainwashed many people