as in to convince
to cause (someone) to think or believe something by using methods that make a person unable to think normally
Terrorists brainwashed the prisoners. Does advertising brainwash children?
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Recent Examples of brainwash
Bistline further claimed that Bateman brainwashed her and initially convinced her to lie to authorities during her first interview with authorities in 2023.
—
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
What, are you being brainwashed by communists?
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
Artificial men become soldiers and servants (a dead detective rebuilt as RoboCop; Bucky Barnes brainwashed to become the Winter Soldier; Anakin Skywalker resurrected as Darth Vader).
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Why not live in Hank’s sick decision to brainwash his daughter into loving him?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
Landfair claimed that she was brainwashed by Kelly.
—Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
In very One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest fashion, good ol’ American capitalists were brainwashed into embracing Red communism.
—Jack King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Her home, District 12, has been destroyed and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) has been brainwashed by President Snow.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2025
California high school senior Hadeel Hazameh believes she was brainwashed.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
What, are you being brainwashed by communists?
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026
Artificial men become soldiers and servants (a dead detective rebuilt as RoboCop; Bucky Barnes brainwashed to become the Winter Soldier; Anakin Skywalker resurrected as Darth Vader).
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Why not live in Hank’s sick decision to brainwash his daughter into loving him?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
Landfair claimed that she was brainwashed by Kelly.
—Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
In very One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest fashion, good ol’ American capitalists were brainwashed into embracing Red communism.
—Jack King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Her home, District 12, has been destroyed and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) has been brainwashed by President Snow.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2025
California high school senior Hadeel Hazameh believes she was brainwashed.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash
Verb
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According to Tally, the actor's daughter convinced him the film would be too controversial.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Victory Tour Featured All Six Jackson Siblings The final act of Michael is devoted to Joseph’s desperate attempts to convince Michael to tour with his brothers after the success of Thriller.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sessions testified as a defense witness on Monday that Rivera enlisted him in 2017 to persuade Maduro to step down and hold democratic elections in Venezuela.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
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While the Scandinavian interior might persuade you to spend the weekend lounging on the sheepskin rug or admiring the view from the wrap-around windows, the true perks exist beyond the property’s four walls.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Lorenzen induced three groundball double plays to get himself out of trouble.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Wexler induced a groundball to second as the Cobras defense turned a double play to escape the jam.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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April 20 – May 20 The right choice today brings both comfort and quiet confidence.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Taurus April 20 – May 20 The right choice today brings both comfort and quiet confidence.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The attack threw into chaos one of Washington’s premier social events, which every year attracts some of the country’s most powerful people and the journalists who cover them.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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The standoff beneath the bridge, where whole neighborhoods were dislocated by construction and residents had long been promised a park, quickly attracted national attention.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His frame and traits are enticing.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Office renovations and conversions in Charlotte Post-COVID, office towers have to either entice people to come back to the cubicle or change uses.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The departure of the United Arab Emirates will deliver a blow to the cartel that could jeopardize its ability to influence the global oil market.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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Lengthy prison sentences imposed years after the crime may not influence other individuals making split-second decisions in volatile situations.—
Andrew S. Boutros,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Introduced in the 1970s, Roundup quickly became the top-selling herbicide in the United States and integral to farming.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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So was the Biden administration’s decision to block Nvidia from selling its most advanced AI chips to China in 2022.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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