brainwash
verb
- persuade completely
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/
noun
Etymology: 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.
- A distorting effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas, as by propaganda.
verb
Etymology: 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.
- To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)
- To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
- To persuade completely and forcibly.
“The news media brainwashed many people.”