noun
( -s )
Etymology: translation of Chinese hsi 3 nao 3 , from hsi 3 wash + nao 3 brain
: the forcible application of prolonged and intensive indoctrination sometimes including mental torture in an attempt to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs, and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas
life in a highly evolved bureaucratic state where thought control and brainwashing have dissolved all individual freedom — Laurent LeSage
brainwashing — the conquest not of a man's body but of his mind and spirit — Gladwin Hill
— compare menticide