brainwash

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

• enPR: brān'wŏsh, IPA^(key): /ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/

• Audio (Southern England):

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• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -eɪnwɒʃ

brainwash (plural brainwashes)

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

brainwash (third-person singular simple present brainwashes, present participle brainwashing, simple past and past participle brainwashed)

1. (psychology) To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)
2. (figuratively, dated) To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
3. To persuade completely and forcibly.

   The news media brainwashed many people.