hypnotize

[ hip-nuh-tahyz ]
See synonyms for: hypnotizehypnotizedhypnotizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),hyp·no·tized, hyp·no·tiz·ing.
  1. to put in the hypnotic state.

  2. to influence, control, or direct completely, as by personal charm, words, or domination: The speaker hypnotized the audience with his powerful personality.

  1. to frighten or startle so that movement is impossible: The headlights hypnotized the deer and it just stood staring at the oncoming car.

verb (used without object),hyp·no·tized, hyp·no·tiz·ing.
  1. to practice hypnosis; put or be able to put others into a hypnotic state.

Origin of hypnotize

1
First recorded in 1843; see origin at hypnotism, -ize
  • Also especially British, hyp·no·tise .

Other words from hypnotize

  • hyp·no·tiz·a·ble, adjective
  • hyp·no·tiz·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • half-hyp·no·tized, adjective
  • re·hyp·no·tize, verb (used with object), re·hyp·no·tized, re·hyp·no·tiz·ing.
  • un·hyp·no·tiz·a·ble, adjective
  • un·hyp·no·tize, verb (used with object), un·hyp·no·tized, un·hyp·no·tiz·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hypnotize in a sentence

  • His silence had a curious effect on those in whose company he feasted; it seemed to hypnotise them.

    Henrik Ibsen | Edmund Gosse
  • It has been suggested that the conjurors hypnotise the spectators, and make them believe they see these things.

  • Let's hypnotise 'em, please 'em in some other way besides shorter hours and easier strikes.

    The Prisoner | Alice Brown
  • Amiel was simply hypnotised by the universe, as a man may hypnotise himself by gazing fixedly at a star.

    Prose Fancies (Second Series) | Richard Le Gallienne
  • Yet once again did Alma hypnotise her imagination with a new ideal of life.

    The Whirlpool | George Gissing

British Dictionary definitions for hypnotize

hypnotize

hypnotise

/ (ˈhɪpnəˌtaɪz) /


verb(tr)
  1. to induce hypnosis in (a person)

  2. to charm or beguile; fascinate

Derived forms of hypnotize

  • hypnotizable or hypnotisable, adjective
  • hypnotizability or hypnotisability, noun
  • hypnotization or hypnotisation, noun
  • hypnotizer or hypnotiser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012