brainwash

verb

Definition of brainwashnext
as in to convince
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

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 brainwash Jake was being, if not brainwashed, certainly influenced by a male figure with some misogyny here. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026 Some of them are derelict minors who have been captured by the settler organizations, taken to outposts in the Palestinian territories, brainwashed, and taught to kill. — David Shulman, The New York Review of Books, 26 Aug. 2026 But the college plot soon recommences, and the Duffys eventually speak with a Harvard chaplain who, to some extent, is able to allay their anxieties about brainwashing. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026 How many people were brainwashed into showing up for a riot and then imprisoned for their actions over an idea that was never really theirs? — Will Cady, SPIN, 30 July 2026 Ferrell instead starred as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu, who attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 But after discovering that Cady and Nevaeh had been using a drug on Zack to brainwash him, Anna opts to fight fire with fire by planting drugs in Cady’s house and placing an anonymous call to CrimeStoppers. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 July 2026 People who vote for MAGA Republicans are mentally challenged and brainwashed. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 Society has brainwashed us for decades into bottling our emotions, saying less, not rocking the boat, and just carrying so much on our shoulders. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash
  1. convince
  2. persuade
  3. induce
  4. bring
  5. attract
  6. entice
  7. influence
  8. sell
Verb
  • Kamala Harris’ defeat convinced some Democratic strategists, like the big-tenters at Third Way and the Searchlight Institute, that Democratic candidates were too easily moved by activists, and that voters held this against them.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Be alert for convincing medical scams Someone who knows your doctor's name or recent treatment details may sound legitimate over the phone.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Mamut and Grönberg were persuaded by Paul Best, a new arrival at Elliott, who believed that the eclipse of brick-and-mortar retail by online commerce had been overstated, and that certain chains could flourish if well capitalized.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of persuade
Verb
  • Major cringe, on the other hand, navigates the aesthetic affect critically and formally to induce it—viscerally exploiting its possibilities.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Holloway was induced a week and a half before her due date because of elevated blood pressure, and Sales was induced a week early because of excess protein in her urine.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of induce
Verb
  • Creality's approach is rather different, swapping smaller nozzle assemblies instead of complete print heads, and potentially bringing the benefits of multi-nozzle printing to a more affordable machine.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For the Bills fans, the store opening is bringing a slice of home and Upstate New York.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of bring
Verb
  • Others cited recruitment challenges – almost four in ten said attracting top talent is harder in Europe than in the US.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The short has also attracted interest from educators, veterans’ organisations (RAF Benevolent Fund), and community groups, many of whom have requested screenings and discussions.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of attract
Verb
  • But while Cartman and Ike are in Sephora, they get enticed into going into the backrooms with an employee, which look straight out of Kane Parsons’ horror film.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Some blame the content for not being enticing enough, while others contend that the programs could be promoted better on Netflix.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of entice
Verb
  • Likewise, depression, obesity, Alzheimer’s, heart disease—all are wildly different diseases, yet all are influenced by diet.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Considerations like demonstrated student need, existing student health and a school’s capacity to implement and sustain the program will influence the decision.
    — Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of influence
Verb
  • The company held a record-setting initial public offering in June, and Musk is not able to sell or trade the bulk of his stock until June 2027 because of lockup provisions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Analysts blame the brand’s reliance on Chuck Taylors and question whether Nike might sell it, though Nike says Converse remains an important part of its portfolio.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of sell

Browse Nearby Words

brainteasers
brainwash
brainwashed
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Cite this Entry

“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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