brainwash
To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting processTo affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)
» I was brainwashed.
Ich wurde einer Gehirnwäsche unterzogen.
Мне промыли мозги.
Мені промили мізки.
Meaning
3 senses(transitive)To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)
einer Gehirnwäsche unterziehen, gehirnwaschen
промыва́ть мозги́promyvátʹ mozgí, промы́ть мозги́promýtʹ mozgí, зомби́роватьzombírovatʹ
(dated, figuratively, transitive)To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
(transitive)To persuade completely and forcibly.
The news media brainwashed many people.
persuade completely, often through coercion
Examples
60 sentencesI was brainwashed.
Мені промили мізки.
ruМне промыли мозги.
deIch wurde einer Gehirnwäsche unterzogen.
Tom claimed he had been brainwashed.
Tom thought Mary might've been brainwashed.
ruТом думал, что Мэри, возможно, промыли мозги.
Do you think Tom has been brainwashed?
ruТы думаешь, Тому промыли мозги?
deGlaubst du, Tom wurde einer Gehirnwäsche unterzogen?
Tom thought that Mary might've been brainwashed.
ruТом думал, что Мэри, возможно, промыли мозги.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From brain + wash, a calque of Chinese 洗腦 /洗脑 (xǐnǎo), literally to wash the brain. UsageFrom 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.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
brainwashes, brainwashing, brainwashed, brainwashed| Base form | brainwash · to brainwash |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | brainwashes |
| Present participle | brainwashing |
| Past simple | brainwashed |
| Past participle | brainwashed |
regular · Lesson
Word family
6 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle