brainwash
B2informal, sometimes journalistic or political
Definition
Meaning
to make someone believe something by repeatedly telling them it is true, often using forceful or manipulative methods, especially in political or ideological contexts
to persuade someone so strongly to accept a belief or opinion that they stop thinking about other possibilities; to indoctrinate systematically
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a process of psychological manipulation, often against a person's original will or beliefs. Carries strong negative connotations of unethical influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically in meaning and register. No significant spelling or grammatical variation.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, associated with propaganda, cults, political indoctrination, and coercive persuasion.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English media discourse about cults and political extremism, but broadly comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] brainwash [Object][Subject] brainwash [Object] into [V-ing][Subject] brainwash [Object] into believing [Clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “brainwash someone into submission”
- “a brainwashing campaign”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'The corporate training felt like they were trying to brainwash us into company loyalty.'
Academic
Used in psychology, political science, and sociology to describe systematic indoctrination processes.
Everyday
Common in discussions about media influence, cults, extreme ideologies, or persistent advertising.
Technical
In clinical psychology, refers to coercive persuasion techniques; in computing, metaphorical use for reprogramming.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The regime tried to brainwash the entire population through constant propaganda.
- Parents worry that extremist groups might brainwash vulnerable teenagers.
American English
- The cult leader brainwashed his followers into giving up all their possessions.
- Some ads are so repetitive they almost brainwash you into buying the product.
adjective
British English
- He was a victim of brainwashing techniques during his captivity.
- The film depicted a sinister brainwashing programme.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The villain in the film tried to brainwash the hero.
- Some people think advertisements brainwash us to buy things we don't need.
- The documentary exposed how the organisation brainwashes its members, isolating them from their families.
- Totalitarian regimes have historically employed sophisticated methods to brainwash citizens, controlling the flow of information and using repetitive slogans to shape public opinion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of washing a brain clean of its original thoughts and filling it with new ones.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A CONTAINER (that can be cleaned and refilled); INFLUENCE IS FORCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'промывать мозги' (literal equivalent) which is colloquial and less serious; 'brainwash' is stronger and implies systematic manipulation.
- Avoid using for simple persuasion—reserve for intensive, repeated, coercive influence.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for mild persuasion ('She brainwashed me to try sushi').
- Confusing with 'brainstorm' (creative thinking session).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'brainwash' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it inherently describes unethical, manipulative, or coercive influence. There is no positive or neutral use.
Yes, informally it can be hyperbolic: 'My friend brainwashed me into binge-watching that series.' However, this is still based on the core meaning of forceful persuasion.
The primary noun is 'brainwashing' (uncountable), e.g., 'a victim of brainwashing'. The countable noun 'a brainwash' is non-standard and very rare.
Yes, 'brainwashed' is the common past participle used as an adjective, e.g., 'brainwashed followers', 'he felt brainwashed'.
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