as in convinced
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 brainwashed
Her home, District 12, has been destroyed and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) has been brainwashed by President Snow.
—
Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2025
As a teen, she was sent to Evelyn’s facility and brainwashed, too.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Maybe Maurice wasn’t too far off on his hunch that the teens were being brainwashed into spy material.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
But Emma’s frustrated by how brainwashed Sam is.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
California high school senior Hadeel Hazameh believes she was brainwashed.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
They’re being brainwashed in school.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Harry and William had a 72-hour argument via text in which William accused Harry of being brainwashed by therapy and Harry appealed unsuccessfully for William to join him for a session.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
How could someone as young as Sisson already be brainwashed by big-money interests?
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2025
As a teen, she was sent to Evelyn’s facility and brainwashed, too.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Maybe Maurice wasn’t too far off on his hunch that the teens were being brainwashed into spy material.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
But Emma’s frustrated by how brainwashed Sam is.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
California high school senior Hadeel Hazameh believes she was brainwashed.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
They’re being brainwashed in school.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Harry and William had a 72-hour argument via text in which William accused Harry of being brainwashed by therapy and Harry appealed unsuccessfully for William to join him for a session.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
How could someone as young as Sisson already be brainwashed by big-money interests?
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashed
Verb
-
Steven Spielberg saw the original cut of the film prior to its release in which Katie dies, and convinced Peli to reshoot the more ominous ending where Featherston simply goes missing.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
-
And by the end of it, we were convinced that this would be a go for us.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
None have adequately satisfied the Royals’ needs.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Negotiations between the Nuggets, Braun, and Duffy intensified over the weekend, culminating in an agreement that satisfied both sides.—
Evan Dammarell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
During that same period, Blain is alleged to have offered or agreed to receive a bribe with the understanding that his official vote and judgment would be influenced, according to the document.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
That translates to real, tangible results–we’ve seen $18 billion in security influenced revenue with security teams using our SafeBase Trust Center.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Matchweek eight saw the Premier League’s 20 teams create 55 big chances, the highest of the season — yet, those opportunities brought multiple head-scratching misses, including a couple with game-state-altering potential.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Chung brought a broader perspective.—
Tharin Pillay,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gabbiadini scored five times in 15 league games, but was sold that same season to Derby County at a loss.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Laster allegedly sold this information to two betters for about $100,000.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the court was persuaded by the plaintiffs’ counterarguments that reinstatement was feasible, particularly for tennis, which is a spring sport.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Lawmakers in the two states still may be persuaded, and the White House push, which has included an Oval Office meeting for Indiana lawmakers and two trips to Indianapolis by Vice President JD Vance, is expected to continue.—
Isabella Volmert,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tommaso di Lampedusa’s novel, which looks at the unification of Italy from the perspective of a 20th-century writer, had a modernity that interested me.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Since his death more than two hundred years ago, Christophe’s tragic story has interested a broad array of playwrights, artists, novelists, and filmmakers across the world.—
Marlene L. Daut
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Brutus’s happy demeanor soon attracted adopter intention and he was adopted within a couple of months.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Five straight victories have attracted some eyeballs among media and coaches’ polls.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashed. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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