brainwashing

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun forcible indoctrination into a new set of attitudes and beliefs
  2. verb persuade completely, often through coercion
  3. verb submit to brainwashing; indoctrinate forcibly

Etymology

Calque of Chinese 洗腦 /洗脑 (xǐnǎo, literally “wash brain”). First use appears c. 1950.

In classic literature

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