Meaning & use
brainwash
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To force someone to accept a completely different set of beliefs by using intense, repeated pressure.
Grammar: Takes a direct object: brainwash someone. Often used in the passive: be brainwashed by something.
Patterns
- brainwash someone
- brainwash someone into doing something
- be brainwashed by someone
The cult tried to brainwash new members into cutting off all contact with their families.
He claimed the media had brainwashed people into supporting the war.
After months of isolation, she felt she had been brainwashed.
verbtransitiveinformal
To make someone believe something completely, especially by repeating it many times.
Grammar: Often used in the passive: be brainwashed into thinking/believing. Can be used lightly or humorously.
Patterns
- brainwash someone into thinking something
- be brainwashed into believing something
My kids have been brainwashed by that cartoon into wanting every toy they see.
Don't let the advertisements brainwash you into thinking you need a new phone every year.
Word forms
| third person singular | brainwashes |
|---|---|
| past tense | brainwashed |
| past participle | brainwashed |
| -ing form | brainwashing |
Common combinations
- brainwash someone into doing something
- The group brainwashed him into giving away all his money.
- be brainwashed by the media
- Some people believe we are all brainwashed by the media.
- accuse someone of brainwashing
- The parents accused the school of brainwashing their daughter.
- brainwash the public
- The dictator used propaganda to brainwash the public.
Synonyms and how they differ
- indoctrinate
- Indoctrinate often means teaching a set of beliefs without allowing questions, but it can happen in schools or armies, not only in extreme situations.
- manipulate
- Manipulate is wider and means controlling someone cleverly for your own benefit; it does not necessarily mean changing their whole belief system.
- condition
- Condition is more technical and suggests training someone to react in a certain way through repeated experience.
Word family
- brainwashing noun
- The act or process of forcing new beliefs on someone.
- brainwasher noun
- A person who brainwashes others.
Commonly confused: brainwash or persuade?
brainwash vs persuade
Persuade means getting someone to agree by giving good reasons; it is normal and not negative. Brainwash suggests force and loss of free choice.
Practice
The cult managed to brainwash him ___ donating all his savings.
Choose one answer.
The pattern is brainwash someone into doing something, so 'into' is correct. 'For', 'with' and 'about' do not fit this structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “brainwash”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.