as in convinced
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 brainwashed
Landfair claimed that she was brainwashed by Kelly.
—
Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The lyrics went beyond Evers’ white-supremacist killer, indicting an entire system that brainwashed poor white Southerners into hatred.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 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
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
As a teen, she was sent to Evelyn’s facility and brainwashed, too.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 26 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
Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The lyrics went beyond Evers’ white-supremacist killer, indicting an entire system that brainwashed poor white Southerners into hatred.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 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
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
As a teen, she was sent to Evelyn’s facility and brainwashed, too.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 26 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashed
Verb
-
The professional investor says he isn't convinced Stalcup did anything wrong.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
-
An undisclosed amount of funds had disappeared, and the unidentified brother was convinced McBride took it, the report read.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gartside seemed aware of a certain potential for racial condescension in his worship of Franklin and unsure of how to resolve it, struggling to offer an explanation that satisfied him of her role in the cosmology of Cupid and Psyche 85.—
Andy Cush,
Pitchfork,
15 Feb. 2026
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This comes after an unsuccessful attempt by Anderson's attorney to have the judge end her probation early, who argued in November 2025 that the ex-teacher had already satisfied the terms of her probation, WKMG reported.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meyer rejected claims he is overly influenced by Scott Boras, baseball’s most visible agent.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This must-see showroom and store does offer museum-worthy Jacobsens, Pontis, and Eameses, but also rare finds and pieces influenced by the Memphis Group from beloved Palm Springs interior legend Steve Chase.—
Jason Sheeler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This week has been a little different, with Arsenal’s game at Wolves brought forward to Wednesday night to avoid a clash with next month’s Carabao Cup final.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
On Thursday, Mexican officials said there is currently no indication that the 84-year-old was brought into Mexico.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With house‑inspired production and a darker, more experimental sound, the mini-album — which sold more than half a million copies in four days — hinted at the group’s creative ambition.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In that range, the sale has the potential to become one of the biggest in NFL history, after the Washington Commanders sold for roughly $6 billion in 2023.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both juries rejected a defense argument that Alkayyali was under the influence of sudden passion, and would have considered a term of two to 20 years if they were persuaded by the argument.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Renato Renner of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich is not persuaded that resolving the conflict between the Copenhagen and many-worlds interpretations solves all the problems.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Things that interested me as a child, as a teenager and as a young adult still interest me.—
Peter Larsen,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
What interested me from the very start was a certain fundamental clash of cultures that the crime seemed to have exposed.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rally attracted people across political ideologies and ethnicities, said Gerry James, 36, who traveled to the event from Frankfort, Kentucky.—
Claretta Bellamy,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
-
According to the company, Roboto Origin has attracted top global talent, from university researchers to Fortune 500 engineers and startup technical teams, forming a collaborative network that accelerates innovation beyond individual organizations.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashed. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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