brainwash
gb/bɹˈeɪnwˌɑʃ/ us/bɹˈeɪnwˌɑʃ/
B2
Inglese
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Verbo
C1
action
1
indoctrinate by intense persuasion
to make someone believe something by using strong, repeated messages
Schema d'uso:
brainwash [someone] (often + into [doing/believing something])
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes use it for any kind of persuasion; it usually implies unfair manipulation or propaganda.
Sinonimi
indoctrinate (More formal; may be less dramatic than brainwash.)
|
condition (Emphasizes training a response; not always about beliefs or propaganda.)
|
radicalize (Specifically toward extreme views; not a general synonym.)
Contrari
deprogram (To help someone stop accepting controlling beliefs.)
|
inform (To give facts without coercive manipulation.)
Collocazioni
be brainwashed
|brainwash someone into believing something
|brainwash someone into doing something
|brainwash the public
|brainwash young people
|brainwash recruits
|brainwash with propaganda
|brainwash through media
|politically brainwashed
|religiously brainwashed
Temi
politics
|media
|psychology
|society
Esempi
- He claims the cult brainwashed him into cutting off contact with his family.
- The documentary explores how prisoners were brainwashed during the war.
- She says social media is brainwashing people with constant misinformation.
Esempi per chi studia
- They tried to brainwash him with propaganda.
- I don’t want anyone to brainwash me.
Verbo
informal
B2
action
2
persuade someone unfairly (casual)
to make someone agree by pressuring them a lot
Schema d'uso:
brainwash [someone] (often + into [agreeing/liking/supporting something])
Errore comune:
In this informal use, it is often an exaggeration; avoid it in very formal writing unless you mean true indoctrination.
Sinonimi
manipulate (General term for influencing someone for your own advantage.)
|
sway (Often neutral; lacks the strong negative implication of brainwash.)
|
pressure (Focuses on pushing someone; not necessarily about beliefs.)
Contrari
convince (Can be neutral and based on reasons rather than manipulation.)
|
dissuade (To persuade someone not to do something.)
Collocazioni
brainwash someone into buying it
|brainwash someone into voting for someone
|brainwash someone into liking something
|try to brainwash me
|completely brainwashed
|brainwashed by ads
|brainwashed by the internet
|brainwashed by their friends
Temi
relationships
|opinions
|daily_life
Esempi
- Stop trying to brainwash me into supporting your team.
- He thinks his friends brainwashed him into buying an expensive phone.
- My dad says the ads are brainwashing kids into wanting junk food.
Esempi per chi studia
- Don’t brainwash me into doing it.
- He feels brainwashed by advertising.
Sostantivo
C1
process
3
the act of indoctrination
a process that makes people believe something by strong pressure
Schema d'uso:
brainwash (uncountable) / a brainwash (countable, less common)
Errore comune:
The more common noun form is brainwashing; noun use of brainwash exists but can sound less natural in some contexts.
Sinonimi
indoctrination (More formal and neutral-sounding; can be used in academic contexts.)
|
propaganda (Focuses on biased messaging rather than the effect on a person.)
Contrari
education (Learning based on knowledge and understanding rather than coercion.)
|
critical thinking (The habit of questioning and evaluating claims.)
Collocazioni
political brainwash
|religious brainwash
|mass brainwash
|brainwash techniques
|a campaign of brainwash
|resist brainwash
|brainwash and propaganda
Temi
politics
|media
|psychology
|society
Esempi
- The report describes years of brainwash aimed at controlling the population.
- Some viewers saw the program as brainwash rather than news coverage.
- He spoke about brainwash in the group and how difficult it was to leave.
Esempi per chi studia
- Propaganda can be a kind of brainwash.
Grammatica
Forma base
brainwash
IPA
GB/bɹˈeɪnwˌɑʃ/
US/bɹˈeɪnwˌɑʃ/
Sillabe e accento
brain - wash (2 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (brain)
Forme flesse
Verb
- Base: brainwash
- 3rd Person Singular: brainwashes
- Present Participle: brainwashing
- Past: brainwashed
Famiglia di parole
Forms
Related words
brainwasher
noun
Espressioni
be brainwashed
1/bˈi bɹˈeɪnwˌɑʃt/
fixed phrase
be indoctrinated by propaganda
to be made to believe something by strong pressure
Esempi
- She believes she was brainwashed by the group for years.
- He insists the voters have been brainwashed by propaganda.
- I’m not brainwashed—I just disagree with you.
brainwash [someone] into [doing/believing something]
1/bɹˈeɪnwˌɑʃ sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɪntu dˈɔɪŋbˈɛlˈivɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
force someone to accept belief
to make someone do or believe something by strong pressure
Esempi
- They brainwashed him into confessing to a crime he didn’t commit.
- The recruiter tried to brainwash students into thinking the group was harmless.
- She says she was brainwashed into donating all her savings.
brainwash [someone] with [something]
1/bɹˈeɪnwˌɑʃ sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɪθ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
indoctrinate using repeated messages
to influence someone by repeating the same message
Esempi
- The regime brainwashed citizens with nonstop propaganda.
- He felt the training sessions were designed to brainwash them with slogans.
- Parents worry that influencers brainwash teens with unrealistic ideals.