as in lobbying
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as in convincing
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brainwashing
James Unnever, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
If brainwashing doesn’t work, defendants can hardly claim it as a defense.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brainwashing
Noun
If these universities are truly the factories of leftist brainwashing that conservatives claim, shouldn’t these men have emerged as progressive ideologues themselves?
—James Unnever, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
If brainwashing doesn’t work, defendants can hardly claim it as a defense.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Maurice is convinced that Tall Pines is brainwashing teens and then sending them to who-knows-where to work as spies.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brainwashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashing
Noun
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The excuses have more to do with political expediency and gas lobbying than reality.—
Anshul Gupta,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Chris Bond, a spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plans, the primary lobbying group for health insurers, reiterated that statement on Monday.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And spend all that money cutting down trees, and distributing it, and hiring Risa Heller to do PR, and convincing The New York Times to do this puffy piece, and convincing the new editor of Vanity Fair that this was going to be his big splashy debut.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Fake error malware relies on convincing messages that pressure you into doing exactly that.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Careers involving children, healing, cooking, interior design, real estate, food content, wellness, and lifestyle influencing thrive.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
23 Dec. 2025
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Since then, her career has expanded far beyond the brand, evolving into styling, influencing, and creative direction.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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To be frank, Bug is a nightmarish experience — but not in an overt, shudder-inducing way.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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The climax of the film features the two reuniting amid the backdrop of the city’s famous cherry blossoms — which proved to be one of the more anxiety-inducing shots to get.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Due to a positive audience response to the pairing, the writers retconned the scene as a seduction, rather than rape.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
22 Dec. 2025
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For years, Laura's rape was treated as a sort of seduction — until 1998 when Luke and Laura's son Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) finds out the dark history behind his parents' romance.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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For most fans, bringing home a souvenir from a live sporting event is one of the most exciting things to experience.—
Josh Taylor,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Also popular are small-batch brews with members of a home brew club or another small group bringing their own recipe, brewing it on site and participating in a tapping event to showcase their creation.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Discover for yourself why this Bedsure Heated Blanket pick is Amazon’s number one best-selling electric throw.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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Over the years, Grains and Taps has expanded from selling local and worldwide beer selections to offering their own brews, opened a second location at Pine Tree Plaza and added a restaurant.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Zash’s earth, sea, undergrowth, and caviar and truffle tasting menus are more than satisfying in both the literal and artistic sense.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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The crab rangoon added a satisfying crunch and works well as a sharable appetizer.—
Alexa Stone
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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