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
Harry and William had a 72-hour argument via text in which William accused Harry of being brainwashed by therapy and Harry appealed unsuccessfully for William to join him for a session.
—
Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
How could someone as young as Sisson already be brainwashed by big-money interests?
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Justine and Archer eventually overpower and kill the pair, all while Alex is trying to hide from his parents, who are brainwashed into trying to kill him.
—William Earl, Variety, 9 Aug. 2025
Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
How could someone as young as Sisson already be brainwashed by big-money interests?
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Justine and Archer eventually overpower and kill the pair, all while Alex is trying to hide from his parents, who are brainwashed into trying to kill him.
—William Earl, Variety, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashed
Verb
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Ciara recently opened up about a time her husband, Russell Wilson, convinced a teenager with leukemia to stick with his treatment, an act that wound up changing his story from coming to an end.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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While many echoed this sentiment in the comments and their own TikTok videos, not everyone is convinced.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was sentenced to 50 days in jail, which has already been satisfied by time served following his arrest, and five years probation.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Packers satisfied a major need by adding an elite pass rusher.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Fire spread will be primarily influenced by alignment with topography, with any ongoing movement likely oriented toward the north and northeast.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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In 2014, a review of a decade-plus of Western Australian government policy found that Jaws influenced its stance on sharks.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Canales was brought here to bring a creative offense to town.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Jenkins voted to continue mask mandates in Brevard County schools, even after the DeSantis administration directed districts to lift them, a stance that brought protests outside her home, threats against her family, and national media scrutiny.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One of her responsibilities was managing the relationship with book distributors and working closely with the sales and distribution team that sold books to bookstores.—
Elaine Pofeldt,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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That’s the largest recent jackpot in the state since June, when an unnamed winner scored a $10 million win from a scratcher bought in Barley Bin Liquor in Whittier, and Steven Muhlestein won a $10 million Super Bonus in May from a scratcher sold at Vintage Wine Shoppe & Liquor in Concord.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Their leads include Dominican newcomer Valentina Shen Wu, who had to be persuaded several times to take on the role of the Chinese silk maker, Mei.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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For his efforts, which also included spending more than $7,000 to trim trees and cut down two redwoods and a fir, he was rewarded with a certificate from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety that persuaded his insurer to maintain his coverage.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Carney said his and Jerome’s first trip to Finland interested two companies in Mooresville.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
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What interested me about Warren’s book was the emotional honesty and the intimacy of an artist that most people didn’t realize was going through one of the most painful times of his life.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These huge purse payouts attracted horses from all over the world.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The variety of music merchandise the business offered attracted a large clientele.—
Sarah Biegelsen,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashed. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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