brainwashing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of brainwashingnext
as in lobbying

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brainwashing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of brainwash
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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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
Noun
If these universities are truly the factories of leftist brainwashing that conservatives claim, shouldn’t these men have emerged as progressive ideologues themselves? — James Unnever, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025 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
  1. lobbying
  2. convincing
  3. influencing
  4. inducing
  5. seduction
  6. bringing
  7. selling
  8. satisfying
Noun
  • The increase, which comes after intense lobbying from local governments, is set to hit coffers in September — faster than previous rounds.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • Bankrolling a network of PACs hasn’t slowed existing lobbying efforts from DraftKings and FanDuel, which are on pace to increase their annual spending there.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of lobbying
Verb
  • The revenge story saw Tucker's exes convincing Snow's Kate to trick the ladies' man into falling in love with her.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • Pace has formed a Monticello Reconciliation Committee in hopes of convincing other members of the association to bring a new vote to give Hemings descendants membership eligibility and burial rights.
    — Briana Stewart, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of convincing
Noun
  • Nicolas Matthew Scelfo of Brooklyn, New York, faces up to 10 years in prison after being charged with influencing, impeding, and retaliating against a federal officer by threat.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of influencing
Verb
  • But New York got to him in the fifth, inducing three walks while getting a two-run homer off the bat of Max Schuemann.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026
  • Earlier, engineers had to choose between slow, high-resolution systems impacted by heavy, lag-inducing computational pipelines or fast, real-time systems that sacrificed vital spatial accuracy.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of inducing
Noun
  • Hurlbut agreed that the seduction of AI is its ease and accessibility.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The rhythm of the writing shows the staccato nature of those relationships, with their stops and starts, and how sometimes signs of seduction cannot be misinterpreted or not picked up at all.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 26 June 2026
Definition of seduction
Verb
  • And this includes bringing more attention the particular deficit that women face in getting properly diagnosed and treated.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Despite his lack of starts and goal involvements, George impressed in his cameos, bringing pace and goal threat to the Everton attack.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of bringing
Verb
  • In 2025, Breyers, Blue Bunny and Turkey Hill were the top-selling brands by dollar sales, Dairy Foods Magazine reported.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Two of Canada’s 10 provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, are still selling American alcoholic beverages.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of selling
Verb
  • Choceur Dark Chocolate with Almonds Bar Choceur Dark Chocolate with Almonds Bar pairs rich dark chocolate with crunchy roasted almonds for a simple yet satisfying sweet treat.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
  • For the fiscal year that started Wednesday, the city of Sacramento is spending about $40 million on homelessness, which includes $30 million from the city’s general fund, satisfying the local match requirement, McCarty said.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of satisfying

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brainwashes
brainwashing
brain wave
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Cite this Entry

“Brainwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashing. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brainwashing

Nglish: Translation of brainwashing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brainwashing

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