brainwash

verb/ˈbreɪnwɑʃ/

Frequency rank: #17,687 most common English word

Meaning

to make someone adopt radically different beliefs by using prolonged pressure or manipulation.

Illustration for the English word “brainwash”

Example sentence

The cult leader tried to brainwash his followers into believing they had no free will.

Synonyms & related words

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