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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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 brainwashing
Noun
Hale connects that story to another tale that took place in the same wilderness twenty years earlier—a story of a cult, brainwashing, teenage prophets, and murder. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026 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
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 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 company has also spent millions on anti-regulatory lobbying.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Others pointed out that California Forever has political clout because its chief lobbying firm, Axiom Advisors, employs several of Newsom’s friends and former officials.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lobbying
Verb
  • Others would create a certification program for fire-safe building and landscaping practices in part with the hope of convincing insurance companies to lower rates.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And Paragon Health Institute, which was powerfully influential in convincing lawmakers to tighten Medicaid and Affordable Care Act spending, put out a paper earlier this year arguing for further reforms across government programs that pay providers.
    — Daniel Payne, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of convincing
Noun
  • When students graduate, they'll be prepared for roles in content strategy, digital influencing, brand development, social media management and audience engagement across industries.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of influencing
Verb
  • After inducing Lee to pop out and then issuing a walk, Snell struck out five straight.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In the spot, shared exclusively with THR, Hansen enters his familiar hunting ground, a kitchen, and delivers a variation on his dread-inducing catchphrase.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of inducing
Noun
  • Several symbolic scenes, similarly unfolding in sinuous long takes—a ritualistic repetition of local habits at the junk yard, a formal dance of non-seduction at a luncheonette with a jukebox—lay bare the town’s ingrained and unyielding mores.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Some Venus signs prefer seduction through mystery and minimalism, while others enjoy eccentricity or perhaps even maximalism.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of seduction
Verb
  • The Moon enters Aries and your 5th House of Creativity, Romance, Play, and Self-Expression, bringing fresh energy to fun, confidence, desire, and artistic risk.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Brooks Lee hit a two-run home run and Kody Clemens had a solo home run, bringing the Twins within 4-3.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bringing
Verb
  • The series has always featured designers who have already started selling outfits and building their brands before being on the show.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • His family is now considering whether someone will continue the produce-selling tradition.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of selling
Verb
  • Before sending any money, make sure the document specifies the total settlement amount, when each payment is due and that satisfying those terms will resolve the remaining balance as agreed.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, Capcom is emphasizing satisfying swordplay and a more traditional action-adventure structure.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfying

Browse Nearby Words

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 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on brainwashing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brainwashing

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