brainwashing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal/Informal - used across registers depending on context, from academic political science to casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “brainwashing” mean?
The process of forcibly and systematically changing a person's beliefs, attitudes, or ideas, often through psychological pressure and manipulation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of forcibly and systematically changing a person's beliefs, attitudes, or ideas, often through psychological pressure and manipulation.
Can be used metaphorically to describe any intensive, persuasive process aimed at changing people's opinions, often with a negative connotation of indoctrination or undue influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in meaning and register. The verb form 'brainwash' may be slightly more common in informal American use (e.g., 'brainwash someone into doing something').
Connotations
Strongly negative in both varieties, associated with cults, totalitarian regimes, and unethical psychological manipulation. Slightly more common in political and sociological contexts in British English.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. The term is well-established in the lexicon of both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “brainwashing” in a Sentence
subject to brainwashingaccuse someone of brainwashinguse brainwashing on someonebrainwashing (by/from) the regimeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brainwashing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regime sought to brainwash the entire population through controlled media.
- He felt his children were being brainwashed by that extreme group.
American English
- The cult leader brainwashed his followers into donating all their money.
- Don't let those ads brainwash you into thinking you need the latest gadget.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'brainwashingly' is not a standard word.
American English
- N/A - 'brainwashingly' is not a standard word.
adjective
British English
- They employed brainwashing tactics that were alarmingly effective.
- The documentary exposed the sect's brainwashing methods.
American English
- She escaped from the brainwashing program run by the organisation.
- The film was criticized for its brainwashing propaganda.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically to criticize aggressive corporate training or marketing that eliminates critical thinking. e.g., 'The company's onboarding felt like brainwashing.'
Academic
Common in psychology, political science, and sociology to describe systematic thought reform, especially in contexts of cults or totalitarian states.
Everyday
Used to describe extreme or manipulative persuasion, often hyperbolically. e.g., 'All those adverts are brainwashing us into buying junk.'
Technical
A specific term in psychology and political science for a set of coercive techniques aimed at altering beliefs.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brainwashing”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brainwashing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brainwashing”
- Using it too lightly for simple persuasion (e.g., 'My mum brainwashed me to eat vegetables').
- Misspelling as 'brain washing' (should be one word or hyphenated 'brain-washing').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almost universally. It describes an unethical, coercive process. Even in metaphorical use (e.g., 'advertising brainwashing'), the connotation is negative, implying manipulation and loss of free will.
They are close synonyms. 'Brainwashing' often implies a more intensive, systematic, and coercive process aimed at erasing previous beliefs, typically applied to individuals. 'Indoctrination' can be broader, often referring to teaching a doctrine uncritically, and is frequently used for groups (e.g., indoctrination of soldiers).
Yes, the verb is 'to brainwash' (e.g., 'They tried to brainwash him'). The past tense is 'brainwashed'.
It is a term used in psychology, sociology, and political science, but it is somewhat controversial. Some scholars prefer more precise terms like 'coercive persuasion', 'thought reform', or 'menticide' because 'brainwashing' has a pop-culture, sensationalist aura.
The process of forcibly and systematically changing a person's beliefs, attitudes, or ideas, often through psychological pressure and manipulation.
Brainwashing is usually formal/informal - used across registers depending on context, from academic political science to casual conversation. in register.
Brainwashing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbreɪnwɒʃɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbreɪnwɑːʃɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was like a brainwashing session.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of washing a brain like washing clothes - removing the original colours (beliefs) and dyeing it a new colour (imposing new ideas).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A RECEPTACLE / BELIEFS ARE PHYSICAL SUBSTANCES. Brainwashing metaphorically treats the mind as a container that can be cleaned ('washed') of old ideas and filled with new ones.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'brainwashing' used most accurately?