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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Recent Examples of brainwashing
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
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Noun
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After years of lobbying, cajoling – virtually pleading – state lawmakers back in 2024 finally granted the state Lottery an online presence.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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The secretary of state plays a central role in administering statewide elections, providing voters with information about ballot measures and statewide candidates as well as overseeing campaign financing and lobbying activity.—
Times staff,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Magyar’s super-majority government has restored judicial, academic and media independence, launched broad anti-corruption drives and moved to join the EU’s prosecutor’s office, convincing Brussels that Hungary is changing course.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Still, not every plaintiff who reports capital gain for a legal settlement has an easy time convincing the IRS.—
Robert W. Wood,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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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
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Once dismissed as a side hustle or vanity career, social media influencing has rapidly evolved into one of the most lucrative—and measurable—jobs in the modern economy.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fact that the AI persona told someone to jump off a tall building would seem to be urging a harm-inducing action.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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The main highlight of the Motorola Razr is, of course, its foldable features, including a nostalgia-inducing camcorder mode and the ability to prop it up in clamshell mode for hands-free video.—
Kimberly Gedeon,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The Austrian artist Valie Export, who died last week, at the age of eighty-five, saw the female body as a site of both seduction and opposition.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
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In a world that often feels increasingly bleak and politically exhausted, there’s comfort in leaning into softness, seduction, and fantasy, and in letting your wardrobe reflect that desire too.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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In February, the university reached eight additional settlements, bringing the total to 304 survivors and more than $60 million.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Alejandro Balde His development has stalled this season and Joao Cancelo — who arrived on loan from Al Hilal during the winter transfer window, with Barca hopeful of bringing him back for next term — took his place.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
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After selling what is now known simply as KFC to a group of investors in 1964, Sanders remained the company's public face and spokesman and often voiced concerns about changes to the restaurant's food, according to food publication The Takeout.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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On busy mornings these foods are quick, satisfying ways to start your family's day.—
Sonal Dutt,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
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Instead of checking specific boxes and satisfying targets, focus on quality stories and memorable characters.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashing. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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