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
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
There, Evelyn uses psychedelic drugs and psychological manipulation to brainwash them into joining the local community, which is, in fact, just a commune of Evelyn’s cultists.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Maybe Maurice wasn’t too far off on his hunch that the teens were being brainwashed into spy material.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 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
They’re being brainwashed in school.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Harry and William had a 72-hour argument via text in which William accused Harry of being brainwashed by therapy and Harry appealed unsuccessfully for William to join him for a session.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The movie, a satire of the fashion industry, follows his male model character Derek Zoolander as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell) attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2025
There, Evelyn uses psychedelic drugs and psychological manipulation to brainwash them into joining the local community, which is, in fact, just a commune of Evelyn’s cultists.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Maybe Maurice wasn’t too far off on his hunch that the teens were being brainwashed into spy material.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 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
They’re being brainwashed in school.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Harry and William had a 72-hour argument via text in which William accused Harry of being brainwashed by therapy and Harry appealed unsuccessfully for William to join him for a session.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The movie, a satire of the fashion industry, follows his male model character Derek Zoolander as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell) attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash
Verb
-
But Weber was always convinced that what his apparatuses were seeing was a real signal.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The designations helped the campaign figure out which kinds of ads would appeal to certain voters — and convince them to go to the polls or stay home.—
David Smiley,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For their part, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere each worked hard to persuade Irishmen, Hessians, Indigenous people, and former slaves to defect to the patriot side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Running Point actress was spotted shopping for holiday presents last December with a hands-free bag strapped across her body, and just one 12-second TikTok clip persuaded us to dole out some change on a purse that’s just like hers.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
According to the memo, Yoon, former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and former military intelligence chief Yeo In-hyung planned to induce a North Korean attack against the South, the spokesperson, Park Ji-young, said.—
Reuters 2 hr ago,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Proving that there’s nothing MAGA love like overkill, there’s also whole lot of George Washington (including a historically daft 2010 Dodge Challenger ad) in the almost hangover inducing 40-second spot.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The wins over Villa and Madrid were achieved with Andy Robertson restored at left-back, at the expense of new signing Milos Kerkez, and with Dominik Szoboszlai bringing more balance and physical presence by reprising last season’s advanced-midfield role.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The discovery pipeline is reinforced by EFP’s Future Frames — in partnership with Karlovy Vary and spun out to Hamburg and Seville — bringing young helmers into the SEFF ecosystem with shorts spotlights and talent meetings.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The show chugged along nonetheless, gradually attracting fans who adored its stark cinematography and weirdo colloquialisms.—
Claire McNear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
-
While many states have sought to attract data centers as an economic boon, legislatures and utility commissions were also flooded with proposals to try to protect regular ratepayers from paying to connect data centers to the grid.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Even less thorny issues on Capitol Hill don’t seem to be enticing the president these days.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
If the easy ticket system and 75 miles of ski terrain here aren't enough to entice you, perhaps the resort's appointment as the host of the 2026 Winter Olympics will.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If this trend continues, the GOP could see losses in the November 2026 midterms, thus affecting the balance of power in Congress and the party's ability to influence key policies and legislation.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This car is a rolling research platform, validating materials and aero solutions that will influence future hypercar engineering.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Hong Kong — Qatar Airways will sell its stake in Cathay Pacific Airways for $896 million, ending its eight-year shareholding in Hong Kong’s flagship carrier.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
After its publication in 2019, the book sold two million copies and quickly became a favorite with high school and college kids.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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