brainwashing

or brain-wash·ing, brain wash·ing

[ breyn-wosh-ing, -waw-shing ]

noun

1. a method for systematically changing attitudes or altering beliefs, originated in totalitarian countries, especially through the use of torture, drugs, or psychological-stress techniques.
2. any method of controlled systematic indoctrination, especially one based on repetition or confusion:

   brainwashing by TV commercials.

3. an instance of subjecting or being subjected to such techniques:

   efforts to halt the brainwashing of captive audiences.

brainwashing

1. Indoctrination that forces people to abandon their beliefs in favor of another set of beliefs. Usually associated with military and political interrogation and religious conversion, brainwashing attempts, through prolonged stress, to break down an individual's physical and mental defenses. Brainwashing techniques range from vocal persuasion and threats to punishment, physical deprivation, mind-altering drugs, and severe physical torture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of brainwashing¹

First recorded in 1945–50; brain + washing

Example Sentences

The term “brainwashing” dates to 1950, when a journalist and former OSS member named Edward Hunter wrote an article explaining why, in the waning days of the Korean War, American POWs defected to Korea and China.

From Washington Post

Over time, this brainwashing eats away at the psyche of youth as they grow and leads to the high rates of mental health issues in LGBTQ youth.

From Washington Blade

So when we were thinking of interesting things that Chip could do to Dory, we started to look at people like Elizabeth Smart or Patty Hearst—and how brainwashing is a very real thing that’s been employed for thousands of years.

From Time

The gun control lobby engages in emotional brainwashing to further its attempts at disarming the American people.

From The Daily Beast

“Immediately the brainwashing began,” Egan told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

“I think of a cult as brainwashing followers in some kind of weird philosophy,” he wrote in an email.

From The Daily Beast

Why comics are diversifying—and what their creators say to groups accusing them of 'brainwashing' kids.

From The Daily Beast

This would have been the best way of demystifying this man, debunking his cause and de-brainwashing his followers.

From The Daily Beast

The Lhari don't watch me too closely—they figure that anything I do they'll catch in the brainwashing.

From Project Gutenberg

They should have done a better job of brainwashing, if they expected him to skulk in like a scared rabbit!

From Project Gutenberg

The world was going to be run by telepaths, psychosis eliminated by brainwashing, intellect developed by hypnotic suggestion.

From Project Gutenberg

But the targets of this brainwashing will do well to look to their Central European neighbours for an antidote.

From Project Gutenberg

The voice chuckled, then said, "I haven't tried brainwashing yet."

From Project Gutenberg