as in convinced
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 brainwashed
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
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
But Emma’s frustrated by how brainwashed Sam is.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 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
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
But Emma’s frustrated by how brainwashed Sam is.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
California high school senior Hadeel Hazameh believes she was brainwashed.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashed
Verb
-
The conservative trio of Johnson, Lee, and Scott often presents a powerful negotiating bloc during contentious policy debates, but their previous calls to end the filibuster have not convinced enough of their colleagues.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
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His answer was rooted in firsthand experience — Tomlin spent 12 months around Rodgers and came away convinced the veteran quarterback’s attachment to football extends far beyond game day.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What has followed, a decade plus of stunning hockey played by the most talented hockey player on earth, has satisfied all desires but the most important one.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Long after a clinical decision has set events in motion, a second system activates to verify whether the decision satisfied the rules.—
Holland Haynie,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the time, Polis acknowledged the need for tighter regulations but said he was influenced to reject the bill after Uber threatened to leave the state if the bill passed.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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But his style, admitted Dupré, has always been heavily influenced by Travis — which can be a challenge when trying to maintain his own identity as an artist, while also honoring Travis' legacy.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 76th edition of the FIFA Congress brought some 1,600 of the top soccer officials from around the world to the city.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The king met with the little leaguers, greeted local dancers and the queen even said hello to a little black and white lamb who was brought by a local to the historic event.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Starting in April, the most vulnerable populations, such as children and older adults, could be most affected because the government plans to cut or eliminate the few subsidized food items that were sold in stores through the ration booklets.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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Nostalgia for the days of standards and bullet-stopping September issues mixes with handwringing over the state of magazines, media outlets, and the overall environment that sold the original Devil Wears Prada as a fairy tale.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The inexpensive studio space and the innovative community being formed by his gallery, Library Street Collective, persuaded him to stay.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In the end, county officials were persuaded to act.—
Anna Clark,
ProPublica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As to why the format interested him, Hawley pointed to a similarity with Fargo.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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Cindy would give Ann gourmet popcorn or maybe a sweatshirt from her alma mater, while Ann would give Cindy a special book on a topic that interested her, or maybe an old batch of family recipes.—
Ross Channing Reed,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While Black moviegoers made up the largest share at 38%, the film also attracted 26% Latino and 26% white audiences.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
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The cast and crew also went to the Topaz Room in Santa Rosa — a restaurant that attracted celebrities such as Jayne Mansfield and Sid Caesar.—
Tony Lee Moral,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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