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
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
Homelander seeks to strengthen his grip on the public and brainwash the masses into accepting him as their holy messiah.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
These young girls have been brainwashed by a political movement that exists to disenfranchise them.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 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
Landfair claimed that she was brainwashed by Kelly.
—Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Homelander seeks to strengthen his grip on the public and brainwash the masses into accepting him as their holy messiah.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
These young girls have been brainwashed by a political movement that exists to disenfranchise them.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 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
Landfair claimed that she was brainwashed by Kelly.
—Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash
Verb
-
To convince Hannibal to cooperate, the FBI sends in Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), an agent in training who finds a way to match wits and guts with the monster in the cage.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
-
If that doesn’t convince you, there’s also the fact that messy bangs are one of the most achievable and low-effort ways to wear the style.—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Some laughed as their classmates persuaded them.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
After an emotional meltdown, Ava agrees, hoping to persuade Deborah to change her mind.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
That chased Lake Creek starter Tripp Riley, a sophomore, and Caden Whitworth came on in relief and promptly induced a double-play comebacker and a popout to center to end the inning.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2026
-
Match play naturally induces fatigue and can disrupt sleep.—
Alan McCall,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
In White Mana’s case, the diner’s rise from fair exhibit to real restaurant has brought nationwide attention over the years, but most reviewers agree that its burger cooked over a bed of onions lives up to the hype.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
This is a Stanley Cup Final between two franchises that bring it at the concession stands.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
This is an island that attracts a fashionable globetrotting crowd, and loyal St Regis fans—arguably one in the same.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The event aims to set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of Monroe impersonators, with organizers hoping to attract 500 volunteers.—
Staff Photographer,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
More Arsenal fans have searched for the shirt since the parade, with 55 bought from Etsy in the 24 hours after the parade, but the reference is what enticed buyers pre-title win.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
The company will offer limited-time deals and new discounts each day to entice shoppers to participate in more than one day of the event, Ghani added.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The brain influences the body’s response to nerves as much as that of the mind.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Like many Europeans who became interested in alternative or occult traditions in the early 20th century, she was drawn to and influenced by innumerable schools of spirituality, philosophy, and mythology.—
Eliza Goodpasture,
ARTnews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
In 2010, the property was sold to a local investment group led by Jeff Jacobs, along with help from Doug Carlson, co-founder and CEO of Fiji Water, and real estate developer Jeffrey Essakow.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Olmo was then only able to play the second half of that campaign due to Spanish government intervention, after La Liga questioned Barca’s initial plan to raise money by selling future VIP seat revenues at the Camp Nou while the seats had not been built.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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