brainwashing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'brainwashing' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It refers to the process of manipulating or forcing individuals to adopt certain beliefs or behaviors through persistent and often coercive methods. You can use the word 'brainwashing' in various situations, such as discussing cults, political propaganda, or even social media influence. For example, "The cult leader used brainwashing tactics to control his followers' thoughts and actions" or "The government's use of media to spread false information is a form of brainwashing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"These criminals are experts at the brainwashing of young people in these regions.

The Guardian

We've reported on the video here: Kony stands accused of overseeing the systematic kidnapping of countless African children, brainwashing the boys into fighting for him, turning the girls into sex slaves and killing those who don't comply.

The Guardian

Ringland, from Derbyshire, adopted the alias of Ant Jones, an "attractive" 14-year-old boy, to use internet chatrooms, where he lured young girls into correspondence before brainwashing them with technological trickery.

The Guardian - Tech

You'd think anyone given to such oddly non-compelling apocalyptic visions wouldn't have a chance against the big players, but apparently he's still out there brainwashing away, so you've got to give him credit for a certain amount of talent and dedication.Anyway, the current Larouche-ite platform has really gotten quite creative.

The Economist

Catalonia wants to collect its own taxes, and have control over how they are spent.The CiU's opponents complain that it is brainwashing a generation of schoolchildren, using Catalonia's expensive public-television network to whip up support for independence and buying influence over every important social institution with patronage and subsidies.

The Economist

The spectre of mainland-style brainwashing in Hong Kong's schools brought teachers, parents and young people out in support of free-thinking values still held dear in the former British colony.In the end Hong Kong's new chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, succumbed to the pressure and announced that the programme would not be imposed on Hong Kong schools.

The Economist

A well-organised and vicious terrorist group, expert in brainwashing and suicide-blasting, the LTTE has maintained its fief which until late 2006 extended over almost a third of the country by murder and fear.

The Economist

"Soviet brainwashing," retorts Anton Buteiko, a deputy foreign minister; yet Mr Yushchenko would struggle to carry a mooted referendum on accession.

The Economist

Mr Ai has to check in with the police every Monday morning for further "re-education" and is not allowed to travel beyond the Beijing city limits.His captors have not given their version of what happened during his interrogation, but by his account it was "two-thirds harassment, one-third brainwashing".

The Economist

Of course, unanimity can indicate some sort of brainwashing, but it does not seem to have occurred to Mr Hayes that it could also indicate that they know something he doesn't.

The Economist

He was accused of brainwashing church members and breaking up families, but beat off most such charges except the Daily Mail's.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "brainwashing", be specific about the methods used and the context in which they are applied to avoid generalizations or misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid implying that "brainwashing" is always completely effective or irreversible. Individuals retain some agency and the ability to resist or recover from manipulative techniques.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brainwashing" is as a noun, referring to the process itself. As Ludwig AI states, it describes manipulating or forcing individuals to adopt certain beliefs. It can also function as a verb in its present participle form, "brainwashing".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brainwashing" functions primarily as a noun, describing the manipulative process of altering beliefs, and sometimes as a verb in participle form. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts. While grammatically correct, it carries negative connotations. Its register is neutral, but the communicative purpose is to express disapproval, with frequent occurrence in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. When using "brainwashing", it's important to be specific about methods and contexts. Alternatives like ""mind control"" or "coercive persuasion" may be appropriate depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mind control

Focuses on the controlling aspect, implying a deliberate manipulation of someone's mental processes.

coercive persuasion

Highlights the persuasive aspect, emphasizing the use of force or pressure to change someone's beliefs.

thought reform

Implies a systematic attempt to change someone's fundamental beliefs or values.

indoctrination

Suggests a process of teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.

psychological manipulation

Emphasizes the psychological techniques used to influence someone's thoughts or behavior.

forced conversion

Implies compelling someone to adopt a different religion or belief system against their will.

subliminal messaging

Involves using subtle cues or messages to influence someone's thoughts or behavior without their awareness.

propaganda

Focuses on spreading information, often biased or misleading, to promote a particular cause or viewpoint.

radicalization

Highlights the process of adopting extreme political, social, or religious ideals.

cult programming

Connects it to the systematic manipulation used by cults to control their members.

FAQs

How can I use "brainwashing" in a sentence?

You can use "brainwashing" to describe a process where someone's beliefs or thoughts are manipulated. For example, "The cult leader used techniques of "mind control" and "indoctrination", which some would consider "brainwashing"".

What is a less emotionally charged alternative to "brainwashing"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "persuasion", "influence", or "conditioning" to describe the shaping of beliefs without the negative connotations associated with "brainwashing".

What's the difference between "brainwashing" and "propaganda"?

"Brainwashing" typically involves intensive and coercive methods to change an individual's beliefs, while "propaganda" is the dissemination of information, often biased or misleading, to influence public opinion.

Is "brainwashing" a scientifically recognized term?

While "brainwashing" is a commonly used term, it's not a precise scientific or psychological concept. Terms like "coercive persuasion" and "undue influence" are sometimes used in academic contexts to describe similar processes.