brainwashing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of brainwashingnext
as in lobbying

Related Words

Relevance

brainwashing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of brainwash
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?

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 brainwashing
Noun
Hale connects that story to another tale that took place in the same wilderness twenty years earlier—a story of a cult, brainwashing, teenage prophets, and murder. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026 Conspiracies and brainwashing In Argentina, there was the troubling disappearance of five-year-old Loan Peña in Corrientes province. — Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 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
  1. lobbying
  2. convincing
  3. influencing
  4. inducing
  5. seduction
  6. bringing
  7. selling
  8. satisfying
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the American Television Alliance (ATVA), a lobbying group composed of cable, satellite, telco operators and independent programmers, slammed the FCC’s vote on the TV ownership cap.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In the 1990s — amid intense lobbying by station owners — Congress got involved, removed the 12-station limit, and raised the cap to 35%.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of lobbying
Verb
  • For Chan, success depends on convincing voters that the city’s challenges do not require abandoning the progressive politics that have long identified it.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Overconfidence sits on the other side of the same coin, convincing us that the view from our rung is the view of the whole ladder.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of convincing
Noun
  • Nicolas Matthew Scelfo of Brooklyn, New York, faces up to 10 years in prison after being charged with influencing, impeding, and retaliating against a federal officer by threat.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026
  • Seven states have now passed legislation to regulate family influencing, but these laws mostly just ensure that parents set aside a percentage of earnings to compensate their children.
    — Kristen Martin, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026
Definition of influencing
Verb
  • The advisers voted 7-6 against including the sleep-inducing peptide emideltide.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The park’s centerpiece, Krakatau Volcano, is also the dramatic setting for a scream-inducing drop slide.
    — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
Definition of inducing
Noun
  • The inevitable directorial dance of seduction to lure the reluctant actor to sign on to the project turns into an actual seduction, in ways that prove personally and artistically consequential for both women.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
  • The running theme of Dennis’ possible sociopathy is one of the show’s deepest wells of comedy, and his conversation here with Mac about his plans for at-sea seduction dived down into the depths.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of seduction
Verb
  • Later, the Aries Moon enters your 4th House of Home, bringing attention back to your foundation.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Shapiros were accused by some followers of bringing Kala into their family for financial gain.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of bringing
Verb
  • Kuester was arrested and charged with selling drugs on June 19, the day after SBI agents talked to Elliott.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • The value compounds because the tour is selling tickets, the album is driving streams, and the tequila and the sneaker campaign are both reinforcing the same orange-hued, community-first aesthetic in the culture at the same time.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of selling
Verb
  • That said, meeting the basic standard for forgiveness also involves satisfying several other important requirements, too.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The Scriptures and textbook are infinitely fresh guidebooks to our unique place in Love’s ever-satisfying divine adventure.
    — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfying

Browse Nearby Words

brainwashes
brainwashing
brain wave
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashing. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on brainwashing

Nglish: Translation of brainwashing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brainwashing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nurture

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All