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

  • The monkey was hypnotized with fear, but he could neither run away, nor go forward, nor come to me.

    Kari the Elephant | Dhan Gopal Mukerji
  • "Yes," Molly breathed, fairly hypnotized into the truth by Wise's suggestive air and tense, compelling voice.

    In the Onyx Lobby | Carolyn Wells
  • She had almost hypnotized him with her weary, earnest voice.

    Hunters Out of Space | Joseph Everidge Kelleam
  • I ask my hypnotized subject not to perceive the friend in the room; he is indeed unable to see him or to hear him.

    Psychotherapy | Hugo Mnsterberg
  • She is hypnotized and sees the operator catching these worms one by one and killing them.

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