As nouns the difference between brainwash and hoax
is that brainwash is an effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas while hoax is anything deliberately intended to deceive or trick.
As verbs the difference between brainwash and hoax
is that brainwash is to affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process (ie hypnosis) while hoax is to deceive (someone) by making them believe something which has been maliciously or mischievously fabricated (scam).
brainwash
English
Noun
(-)
An effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas.
Verb
To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (i.e. hypnosis)
(figuratively, dated) To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
hoax
English
Verb
(es)
To deceive (someone) by making them believe something which has been maliciously or mischievously fabricated. (scam)
Derived terms
* hoaxer
* hoaxster (rare)
Noun
(es)
Anything deliberately intended to deceive or trick.
Synonyms
* (deliberately false story or report) canard
Derived terms
* (deliberately false story or report) hoaxical, Hoaxocaust