brainwash

verb

Definition of brainwashnext
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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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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash
  1. convince
  2. persuade
  3. induce
  4. bring
  5. attract
  6. entice
  7. influence
  8. sell
Verb
  • The court date begins a weeklong preliminary hearing where prosecutors aim to convince a Utah judge to allow the trial to move forward.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • Four lobbyists who persuaded their clients to pay tour expenses, but did not report them, now face misdemeanor violations of the gift ban.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • Numbers like that are persuading brands to start treating in-game ads and product placements as a serious channel rather than a spare-budget experiment.
    — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of persuade
Verb
  • This is likely the first-ever humanoid robot induced strike, although there are other issues at play in the current union negotiations.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • According to the court judgment, the pair arranged for employees and associates to drive up bidding prices at auction, inducing the collector, identified under the pseudonym Li Pin, to purchase the items at inflated prices.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of induce
Verb
  • For some, the shutdowns and masking guidance brought flashbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic about six years ago.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Marble fireplaces and bespoke timber joinery soften a palette of black, white and brushed brass, while parquet floors bring warmth beneath the clean geometry.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of bring
Verb
  • South Korean markets are closed for a public holiday, so stocks like Softbank and TSMC have attracted the most intense selling.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • State officials say the legislation is intended to attract companies developing next-generation energy technologies.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
Definition of attract
Verb
  • Eventually, the attacker would entice the target to install malware disguised as security software.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
  • The San Francisco Chronicle first confirmed Saronic’s plans, which come after Texas officials approved a $211 million abatement package to entice the company to locate the shipyard in South Texas.
    — Lia Russell July 16, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of entice
Verb
  • Offer availability, placement, and display are determined by the third party and may be influenced by compensation and other factors.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • Advertisement Parscale's plan was focused in part on influencing the sources from which AI chatbots draw information.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of influence
Verb
  • Another dinosaur has entered the luxury collectibles market, a reminder that even Earth’s deepest history can be sold to the highest bidder.
    — Kristi Curry Rogers, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
  • The governor’s September 2020 order directed the state to require all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state after 2035 be zero-emission vehicles.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of sell

Browse Nearby Words

brainteasers
brainwash
brainwashed
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Cite this Entry

“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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