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?

Related Words

Relevance

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 brainwash 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 The siblings had been brainwashed, abused and groomed while growing up in a cult led by Bernie Hoffman, an apocalyptic preacher and false prophet known to the world as Tony Alamo. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026 What, are you being brainwashed by communists? — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026 Artificial men become soldiers and servants (a dead detective rebuilt as RoboCop; Bucky Barnes brainwashed to become the Winter Soldier; Anakin Skywalker resurrected as Darth Vader). — Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwash
  1. convince
  2. persuade
  3. induce
  4. bring
  5. attract
  6. entice
  7. influence
  8. sell
Verb
  • But taken together, this was quite the week of pandering candidate theatrics and not exactly the precursor to what should be a serious campaign to convince voters of the best candidate to run a city that needs a turnaround agent.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Ellen Evans and Gina Alves told Dateline the family was convinced of Lewis’ involvement.
    — Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of convince
Verb
  • The king’s openness in talking about his diagnosis has been credited with persuading more men to be tested for prostate cancer and other forms of the disease.
    — Danica Kirka, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Save to wishlist Melin Tregwynt Welsh Blanket Sanneh, who Miron Ahlers persuaded to join The Trail Club, sees the house as the next phase of the club.
    — Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of persuade
Verb
  • Marshall had been charged with defrauding his mother’s estate of millions by inducing her to change her will in his favor after her mental capacity had faded.
    — Robert D. Mcfadden, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The frame of this printer is rigid and stout to minimize error-inducing vibration during printing; HeyGears says layer positioning errors are no more than 2 microns.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of induce
Verb
  • The service The team are friendly, enthusiastic, and genuinely warm, made even more memorable by their vibrant, patterned uniforms that bring extra character to the experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Drew Gilbert brought the Giants within two runs by lining a two-run shot over the short right-field fence, then Devers followed up on the next pitch with a solo homer to center.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bring
Verb
  • Brands like Slate and Ford are betting cheaper, smaller electric trucks can attract buyers priced out of larger pickups.
    — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Never intentionally feed coyotes, and remove outdoor food sources that may attract coyotes or their prey.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of attract
Verb
  • Offering a 35% incentive aimed at stiffening up jobs here and enticing post-production to relocate to the Golden State, AB 2319 is racing toward a vote in the state Senate by next week once the bill is in final shape.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Marvel Studios began moving its production operations to Georgia, enticed by the state’s uncapped tax credits that could be used for actors’ salaries.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of entice
Verb
  • The outcome of this bellwether case is expected to significantly influence whether other states pursue similar legal actions against AI companies.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Despite typically lower participation, voters casting ballots Tuesday said the primary remains an important opportunity to influence which candidates advance to the general election.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of influence
Verb
  • The house sells most of its Champagne in European markets, including Britain, Belgium, Italy and Spain, as well as in West Africa, with smaller volumes going to the United States and Asia, Bonnet-Gobillard said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Investigators determined that multiple RVs may have been sold at Carson Pass RV in Lockeford without proper notification to their rightful owners and without completing the required Department of Motor Vehicles documentation.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sell

Browse Nearby Words

brainteasers
brainwash
brainwashed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brainwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwash. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on brainwash

Nglish: Translation of brainwash for Spanish Speakers

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 tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All