BRAINWASHED Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

brainwashed

verb

past tense of brainwash

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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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 brainwashed How many people were brainwashed into showing up for a riot and then imprisoned for their actions over an idea that was never really theirs? — Will Cady, SPIN, 30 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashed

Verb

Sanft focused the first day of testimony on questioning the thoroughness of the work of investigators in the three decades-old case, saying he’s not convinced Tupac Shakur’s murder will ever be solved.

— Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
One-third of the students still can't be convinced because a pitch can't outrun the job.

— Gregg Mojica, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of convinced

Verb

These rates may be influenced by multiple factors, including differences in access to healthcare services.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The researchers say the ancient escarpment may have influenced river systems, sediment transport and the flooding of continental interiors long before the rapid diversification of complex life during the Cambrian explosion.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of influenced

Verb

Firefighters brought the blaze under control and the injured were taken to a hospital where some were being treated for burn injuries while others suffered from smoke inhalation and asphyxiation, the report said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The case was brought by Strawberry Growers for Fair Trade, a coalition of Florida strawberry producers, whose berries are typically harvested during the winter months.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of brought

Verb

Investigators determined that multiple RVs may have been sold at Carson Pass RV in Lockeford without proper notification to their rightful owners and without completing the required Department of Motor Vehicles documentation.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Merck last year sold nearly $32 billion worth of pembrolizumab, a drug that’s FDA-approved for more than 40 cancer conditions.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of sold

Verb

Stuart Evey, who oversaw who oversaw Getty Oil’s investments outside its core oil business, persuaded the company's board to invest $10 million for an 85% stake.

— Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Last summer, Curtis persuaded them to join Citizen Historians, a grassroots effort to monitor Smithsonian exhibitions for political interference.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of persuaded

Verb

But what really interested us with this movie was trying to understand the humanity and searching for and exploring the love and the loyalty to characters to have a dialogue with an audience and not do it for the sake of ego or shock.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
Camerlenghi says Gradara Castle has interested him since his childhood.

— Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

Definition of interested

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“Brainwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashed. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of brainwashed

verb

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