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brainwash

[brayn-wosh, -wawsh] / ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ, -ˌwɔʃ /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“It created a model that proved to local municipalities, to local politicians that these spaces weren’t dangerous places that are going to brainwash your kids or whatever.”

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 13, 2023

"And that's what they do to brainwash," she continued.

From Salon ● May 25, 2023

He said that unscrupulous leaders are able to brainwash people and take advantage of their desire to find a solution to their problems.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2023

“If we had the power to brainwash kids, we’d have them do their homework.”

From Washington Times ● Nov. 6, 2022

Instead I’m locked in a small room that smells like chorizo and stale popcorn while my archenemy continues to brainwash the community with reggaeton and free sunscreen.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

Young people mustn’t watch too many films with violence because it brainwashes and disturbs them.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 6, 2015

I am not saying the Army brainwashes you.

From Time Magazine Archive

In a totalitarian sci-fi world, a hammer thrown by a young athlete smashes a "Big Brother" figure declaiming to brainwashed citizens from a vast screen.

From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026

Mark Harris realized that his father and Freeman had brainwashed him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

She said: "Technologies are advancing and becoming more complex and almost controlling. Some people could be brainwashed into thinking some things that are not real."

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2025

Families claimed their loved ones had been "brainwashed," and groups like the Cult Awareness Network emerged to fight back.

From Salon ● May 18, 2025

Ellis, I love you even though you are brainwashed.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

"Actually, there's brainwashing here in China too, but it's not as severe," he said.

From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026

O’Neill also explains that psychiatrist Louis Jolyon “Jolly” West, who is known to have ties to the MKUltra project, was conducting research on brainwashing in the Haight-Ashbury area at that time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 7, 2025

As long as this public perception remains and compounds with Stake’s already shady reputation, then the brainwashing might fall flat.

From Slate ● Nov. 14, 2024

"It’s absolutely textbook. In fact, they have to do that for this machine that is cultic brainwashing to work," she says.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2024

My father says he doesn’t believe in brainwashing children.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood




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