as in lobbying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
His passing comes nine weeks after the death of Days’ Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black, the character who was at first believed to be Roman with brainwashing and plastic surgery.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Dec. 2024
In another encouraging sign, the bot was unable to talk people out of beliefs in conspiracies that were actually true, such as the CIA’s covert MK-Ultra project that used unwitting subjects to test whether drugs, torture or brainwashing could enhance interrogations.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2024
Someone activates the long-dormant brainwashing in super-soldier Isaiah Bradley (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Carl Lumbly), who then attacks the president, revealing Ross' inner circle has been compromised and there's an international incident on their hands.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 29 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for brainwashing
Noun
Yet, going by the best ethnographic and social-science research, his fear of brainwashing was overblown.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
His passing comes nine weeks after the death of Days’ Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black, the character who was at first believed to be Roman with brainwashing and plastic surgery.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Dec. 2024
In another encouraging sign, the bot was unable to talk people out of beliefs in conspiracies that were actually true, such as the CIA’s covert MK-Ultra project that used unwitting subjects to test whether drugs, torture or brainwashing could enhance interrogations.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2024
Someone activates the long-dormant brainwashing in super-soldier Isaiah Bradley (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Carl Lumbly), who then attacks the president, revealing Ross' inner circle has been compromised and there's an international incident on their hands.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 29 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for brainwashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashing
Verb
-
Rivers insisted Monday that there are different ways of convincing a team its record is not reflective of its abilities.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Dec. 2024
-
In their calculation, their chances of reversing vaccine injury with unsupported, experimental treatments are better than convincing policy makers to care for disabled people.—
Catherine Tan,
TIME,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Ads like Carl’s Jr.’s are unsubtle seductions, but what is The Substance trying to seduce its viewers into experiencing and considering otherwise?—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The filmmakers’ gaze sometimes stops to watch a specific event, like a dance or a discreet seduction.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In the face of tragedy, Dess’s narrator memorably dramatizes the anxiety-inducing exigencies of the creative arts, and the need of artists to remain focussed on their craft.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Turn your bedroom into a snooze-inducing sanctuary.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Real intimacy lies in bringing your beautifully flawed self into the experience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Adam Digby is the Juventus correspondent for Forbes and is Serie A writer, bringing you the biggest and best stories that Italian football has to offer.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
On a recent morning, around 100 citizens lined up in front of a government truck in Dhaka that was selling oil, rice and vegetables at subsidized rates.—
Saif Hasnat Atul Loke,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Bottom line For home sellers, 2025 is looking good with many homes commanding higher prices and selling quickly.—
Brendel Hightower,
Detroit Free Press,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The successful outcome for Perpetua Resources is especially impressive given the complex nature of the federal, state, and local permitting process, as well as the work involved in satisfying the concerns of local communities and the Nez Perz Tribe.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Employees who cultivate relationships at work have a more fun and satisfying experience.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The agency has sued companies for persuading veterans to sell their pension and disability payments, for charging military families more than thirty-six per cent interest on pawn loans, and for misleading servicemembers to take costly cash-out refinance loans on their homes.—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The Bears don’t appear to be having much trouble persuading offensive players to come to Chicago after hiring Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Their style of play was attracting fans and that brought profits, even while tenants at City.—
Michael Walker,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
-
His town hall in particular went viral as House Republicans returned home for a weeklong break, attracting millions of views on a video CNN posted to TikTok alone.—
Lauren Green,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashing. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share