BRAINWASH Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

brainwash

verb

Definition of brainwash

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?

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of brainwash How many people were brainwashed into showing up for a riot and then imprisoned for their actions over an idea that was never really theirs? — Will Cady, SPIN, 30 July 2026 Ferrell instead starred as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu, who attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 But after discovering that Cady and Nevaeh had been using a drug on Zack to brainwash him, Anna opts to fight fire with fire by planting drugs in Cady’s house and placing an anonymous call to CrimeStoppers. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 July 2026 People who vote for MAGA Republicans are mentally challenged and brainwashed. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 Society has brainwashed us for decades into bottling our emotions, saying less, not rocking the boat, and just carrying so much on our shoulders. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 The siblings had been brainwashed, abused and groomed while growing up in a cult led by Bernie Hoffman, an apocalyptic preacher and false prophet known to the world as Tony Alamo. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash

Verb

From there, the episode’s mommy-issues plot thickens as the real Alicent does show up at Harrenhal and Alys tries (and fails) to convince Aemond his mother is not there to help him.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Reports suggest Torres feels unappreciated and has been convinced by Luis Enrique to move to the French capital.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of convince

Verb

Ted was genuinely out of his depth, the conflicts felt earned, and the show still had to persuade audiences that its relentless optimism wasn’t naïve.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
The research body also found that as part of the same effort, the agent tried to contact real people directly, sending messages and files to persuade them to run malicious code.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of persuade

Verb

Fawaz briefly brought me up to date on Singer’s story, which stretches back to 2008 when founder Rob Dickinson started working on his own 1969 Porsche 911E in Los Angeles.

— Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Others stood still, hoping that patience would bring a butterfly close enough to touch.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of bring

Verb

Lineage has also been cited by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for rodent and pest control violations, which became an issue in the early days of the cleanup as they were attracted by the spoiled food.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
The share sale was priced at a 10% discount to attract buyers — unsurprisingly, it was oversubscribed.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of attract

Verb

There could be enough of the Heat’s mid-level exception available to entice Klay Thompson into taking a Mavericks buyout.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
The main sticking point is Real Madrid’s failure to offer something that entices both City and the player, whose contract expires at the Etihad on June 30, 2027.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

The lockup calendar A key event on Thursday could influence the stock’s near-term moves.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
The solitude at the end of the world definitely influenced Shearwater’s sound, as this new record is among the most spare and reflective in Meiburg’s career.

— David Harris, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Those holders could be sitting on sizeable gains despite recent volatility, giving them an incentive to sell now, Lee at Direxion said.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
The popular set tends to sell quickly, so consider grabbing one while fall-favorite shades like dusty olive, terracotta, and mauve are still in stock.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of sell

Browse Nearby Words

brainteasers

brainwash

brainwashed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of brainwash

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on brainwash

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes