brainwashed (C1)
verb
Pronunciation: /ˈbreɪnwɒʃ/
Definition
To persuade someone to believe something by using force, pressure, or deception, often to the point where they abandon their previous beliefs and adopt new ones.
Examples
The regime attempted to brainwash the population into accepting its ideology.
After weeks of intense interrogation, they feared he had been brainwashed.
She worried her son was being brainwashed by the extremist group.
How to Use brainwashed
- brainwash someone into doing something (phrasal verb)
- To use psychological manipulation to force someone to do something against their will or better judgment. — "The cult's aim was to brainwash new recruits into cutting off contact with their families."
- brainwash someone to believe (prepositional phrase)
- To use psychological manipulation to make someone accept a particular belief system. — "The propaganda was designed to brainwash the public to believe the government's lies."
Synonyms of brainwashed
Words with a similar meaning to brainwashed:
Antonyms of brainwashed
Words with the opposite meaning to brainwashed:
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