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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But prosecutors might have a difficult time convincing a jury that the five defendants are guilty of murder, said Linda Parisi, a defense attorney based in Sacramento.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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Aside from being a practical closet staple, the reviews really convinced me that this dress is a gem.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is aiming to persuade Chinese companies to share more tech know-how with their Spanish partners on a trip to Beijing next week, according to people familiar with the preparations.—
Daniel Basteiro,
Bloomberg,
10 Apr. 2026
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The governments involved would need to be able to persuade their people that such a deal is acceptable.—
Donald Heflin,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Their lack leaves us too much time to grow weary of Tara — whose unraveling under pressure is understandable, yet has an effect on the viewer more exhausting than empathy-inducing.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Her lipstick, her sneakers, and yes, her heat rash-inducing sweaters.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Community members are asked to bring their own bags.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This thing that brings us into the world can so quickly be deemed indecent.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On May 21st, an antiwar teach-in at the University of California, Berkeley, attracted thirty-thousand people and lasted thirty-six hours.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Key Takeaways Wilmington’s coastal North Carolina location attracts movie makers and vacationers with mild temperatures, beaches, and riverfront scenery.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The actual scene of the Denny’s Plan, in which Clark visits a famously gay Denny’s while on a work trip in Chicago to entice a fine young gentleman to meet up with Floyd as Tiger Tiger, is where Bateman really shines this week.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
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More than half of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in such plans, enticed by lower monthly premiums and extra benefits not covered by traditional Medicare, according to health policy research firm KFF.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What to expect Attendees can expect a range of local chefs and vendors serving traditional fish plates alongside dishes influenced by a variety of cultural backgrounds.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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Known for sporting towering hats with Atlanta iconography, Robinson has spent 23 years influencing downtown’s development and sense of community.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alfortish sold the building at 525 Clay around the time the Feds started investigating him, and Motta Law has vacated the premises.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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But a few years ago, Shapiro argued, Fox looked at the two paths moving forward and chose to take the one to the future as predecessor 21st Century Fox sold its studio and key cable networks to Walt Disney.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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