brainwashed

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Subjected to intensive forced indoctrination: Describes a person whose mind has been systematically and forcefully controlled, often through prolonged pressure, to make them reject previously held beliefs and accept new ones.
   • Having one's opinions or beliefs forcibly and unthinkingly altered: Implies a loss of independent critical thought due to manipulative psychological techniques.

Usage

• The term is used to describe a state resulting from a process of extreme mental manipulation. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the person is a victim who has lost their free will or capacity for independent judgment.
• It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become').

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The cult leader's followers were completely brainwashed and would obey any command.
  • After months of propaganda, the brainwashed soldiers fervently believed the enemy's cause was evil.
  • She argued that constant exposure to social media algorithms had left many people brainwashed into consumerism.

Advanced Usage

• "to brainwash (someone)": The verb form from which the adjective is derived, meaning to subject someone to brainwashing.
  • The regime sought to brainwash the entire population through state-controlled media.
• Often used in political, religious, or commercial contexts to criticize methods of undue influence.

Variants and Related Words

• Brainwash (verb): To subject a person to brainwashing.
  • They attempted to brainwash the prisoners.
• Brainwashing (noun): The process or practice of brainwashing.
  • The documentary examined the techniques of political brainwashing.

Synonyms

• Indoctrinated: Taught to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.
• Programmed: Conditioned to behave or think in a specific way (informal).
• Conditioned: Trained or influenced to react in a particular way.

Antonyms

• Independent-minded: Thinking for oneself.
• Skeptical: Inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions.
• Free-thinking: Forming one's own opinions independently.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• While not a phrasal verb, the concept is central to phrases like:
  • "A brainwashed populace": Describes a population whose beliefs have been systematically controlled by a government or authority.
  • "To be brainwashed into believing": Emphasizes the forced acceptance of a specific idea.

    • He was brainwashed into believing he was worthless.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. subjected to intensive forced indoctrination resulting in the rejection of old beliefs and acceptance of new ones
   • brainwashed prisoners of war
   • captive audiences for TV commercials can become brainwashed consumers