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
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
This was when Allison was still very deep in NXIVM, very much brainwashed.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
She was completely brainwashed by Raniere, and became part of a harem of women who serviced his every need.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 10 Nov. 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
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
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
Jack King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
This was when Allison was still very deep in NXIVM, very much brainwashed.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
She was completely brainwashed by Raniere, and became part of a harem of women who serviced his every need.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 10 Nov. 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash
Verb
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Just weeks after the fun ended, Mosley must convince boosters, donors and fans that 2025 doesn't have to be a one-off.—
Mac Engel Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
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But some believe a traveling, apocalyptic preacher convinced her that killing Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary was the only way to save them from eternal damnation.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Based on that estimate, the board persuaded members to approve an $18,750 assessment per person.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Elphaba tries to persuade them not to, and stay and fight for their home.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nike’s Mind franchise, featuring a mule and a sneaker with calm-inducing nodes, has come out of the gate hot by selling out wherever it’s been offered.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 2026
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In a night full of pleasant surprises, tearful acceptance speeches and eye-roll-inducing moments, there was still a lot that audiences didn’t see on TV.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Made from durable and shock-absorbing materials, this sturdy and compact charger can power up to six devices at the same time, bringing an iPhone 15 back to 65 percent power in just 30 minutes.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Hogan said bringing his children to the protest was a way to teach them civic engagement outside the classroom.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The site has since attracted more than 10 nuisance complaints since 2022, according to city records.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
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Additionally, pests may find the wood appealing for nesting, which can attract more pests into your garage.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Similar to fellow Arsenal summer signing Eberechi Eze — another keen chess player — the assumption would be that the skills taken from the board game have helped Zubimendi be a step ahead in enticing and then bypassing opposition players.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The algorithm, the Reddit user claimed, would save the higher-paying orders for casual drivers to entice them to use the app.—
Lauren Wilson,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Aesthetics may also be influencing the approach to the work triangle.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Participants were generally healthy in midlife, with low rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, which may have influenced the positive outcomes.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But more than specific features and fixtures, the idea of wellness is becoming a big bathroom selling point.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Versatile bags are marked down as well, including a nano version of the best-selling Everywhere Belt Bag that’s now half off.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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