1. the process of forcing someone to give up their basic political, social, or religious beliefs and to accept different ones by using extreme mental pressure
2. the act of making someone believe something by repeatedly telling them it is true and preventing them from thinking about it properly
Usage: informal

Examples

• The prisoners were subjected to intense brainwashing techniques.
• Critics accused the cult of brainwashing its members.
• The documentary explored brainwashing methods used during wartime.
• She felt like years of advertising had been a form of brainwashing.
• The regime used brainwashing to control the population’s thoughts.
• Experts studied the psychological effects of brainwashing on victims.
• The novel depicted a dystopian society where brainwashing was commonplace.