brainwash

CEFRC2

/ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    To force someone to accept new beliefs through pressure.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)

Examples

  • Sami tried to brainwash Layla into being a completely different person.

  • Who paid you to add this sentence? You're trying to brainwash us!

At a glance

Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)

  2. A distorting effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas, as by propaganda.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To persuade completely and forcibly.

More examples

In context

  • The news media brainwashed many people.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The cult leader tried to blank his followers into believing his false teachings.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From brain + wash, a calque of Chinese 洗腦 /洗脑 (xǐnǎo), literally to wash the brain. Usage via U.S. military during the Korean War.