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brainwash

[breyn-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 they brainwash people to join and they convince them of all of these things, and it's really, really hard to get out of it."

From Salon Dec. 28, 2022

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

From Washington Times Nov. 6, 2022

"He was trying to brainwash me, manipulate me and he still had control of me and I didn't like it," she said.

From BBC Oct. 7, 2021

Anyway, I think Mr. Neely has managed to brainwash me with his hashtags and experiments, because I kept thinking about the scientific process during therapy.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

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

She’s convincingly vacant and content as Zosia, a woman brainwashed by an alien virus.

From Los Angeles Times May 21, 2026

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

They have been brainwashed into thinking it's not just 'the right way' to play, it's also 'the only way' - but there are many pitfalls to this approach and my priorities were always very different.

From BBC Nov. 23, 2025

I knew, from what I had been when I was with them, how brainwashed they were.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Sen Risa Hontiveros said platforms had become "nests for brainwashing and radicalising our youth".

From BBC Jun. 24, 2026

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

From Barron's Mar. 29, 2026

Shakespeare put all his understanding of human nature into Iago’s brainwashing master class.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 17, 2026

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

Priming is not, it should be said, like brainwashing.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell




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