hypnotize

American  

[hip-nuh-tahyz] / ˈhɪp nəˌtaɪz /

especially British, hypnotise

verb (used with object)

hypnotized, hypnotizing

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.

3. to frighten or startle so that movement is impossible.

   The headlights hypnotized the deer and it just stood staring at the oncoming car.

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verb (used without object)

hypnotized, hypnotizing

1. to practice hypnosis; put or be able to put others into a hypnotic state.

hypnotize British  

/ ˈhɪpnəˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to induce hypnosis in (a person)

2. to charm or beguile; fascinate

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Other Word Forms

• half-hypnotized
  adjective
• hypnotizability
  noun
• hypnotizable
  adjective
• hypnotization
  noun
• hypnotizer
  noun
• rehypnotize
  verb (used with object)
• unhypnotizable
  adjective
• unhypnotize
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of hypnotize

First recorded in 1843; see origin at hypnotism, -ize

Explanation

When you hypnotize someone, you draw him into a mental state that is receptive to suggestion. If you are looking to break a bad habit like cigarette smoking, ask someone to hypnotize you. To hypnotize is to induce a calm, focused state in one's self or in another person. The state is called hypnosis, and a person who can do this for someone else is a hypnotist. The word hypnotize comes from the Greek hypnotikos, "inclined to sleep or putting to sleep," and popular ideas of hypnosis reflect a kind of half-asleep state. In reality, when you hypnotize someone, the person remains awake and intently focused.

Example Sentences

Hypnotize yourself into being relaxed, aware and willing to push the boundaries; maybe you can have some fun.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2013

The closing track, a collaboration with Daft Punk called "Hypnotize U," came "at the very last minute," according to Williams.

From Reuters • Oct. 12, 2010

And when Cornell goes mellow on Hypnotize, you just presume Morello would rather be fret dancing.

From Time Magazine Archive

I have received a letter from Tyler, Texas, propounding the following fateful conundrum: "Can Woman Hypnotize Man?"

From Brann the Iconoclast — Volume 01 by Brann, William Cowper

There are also many other ways of producing lethargy, as we have seen in the chapter "How to Hypnotize."

From Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spiritualism How to Hypnotize: Being an Exhaustive and Practical System of Method, Application, and Use by Alpheus, A.

Related Words

• anesthetize
• captivate
• fascinate
• mesmerize
• stupefy