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
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
Landfair claimed that she was brainwashed by Kelly.
—Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
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
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
Landfair claimed that she was brainwashed by Kelly.
—Katherine Lam, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
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 brainwashed
Verb
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But if you're not convinced yet, check out even more info on Trade's website or browse some of the bestselling subscription plans below to get started.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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But the locals on the island are convinced the town is cursed, and don’t necessarily approve of bringing tourists into the mix.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The juxtaposition of glossy and matte papers satisfied the papyrophile in Nilsson while adding a chewy subtext for viewers.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The book satisfied the second prong.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
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But Serna and his coaches were also influenced by Kimball’s State double a year earlier.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Over the last decade, deep political divisions have influenced the way people view the nation’s history.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The city of Aurora agreed to pay $15 million in November 2021 to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by McClain's parents.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Lama Kazi Sherpa, of the SPCC, told Reuters that his team located Hillary Dawa above Base Camp near the icefall and brought him down to safety.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
Verb
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To make matters messier, Danson and Goldberg’s romance was cooling off and the two actually tried to get out of the Friars roast, but the club said the tickets had been sold and the show must go on.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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In corporate news, shares in Universal Music Group were seen down 6% following reports that Pershing Square had sold its stake in the group, after two failed takeover attempts.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Verb
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That’s because people could be persuaded to sell shares off to wealthy investors for a quicker payout, rather than holding on to them and letting their wealth compound.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Amanda defended Cady when he was charged with the murder of his wife and unborn child, and ultimately persuaded him to take a plea deal.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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To my surprise, that interested him—most men wouldn’t have wanted to hear about it.—
Joyce Johnson,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
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Around the same time, Barwick and his then-student, Peter Haine, independently came up with a slightly different definition in order to answer a particular question in category theory that interested them.—
Konstantin Kakaes,
Quanta Magazine,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The growth attracted a fresh wave of foreign workers.—
Jessi Jezewska Stevens,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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The case has attracted growing attention in France in recent months as Bruel is one of France’s most famous entertainers with a career spanning music, film and television — stretching over four decades.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashed. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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