mesmerized

American  

[mez-muh-rahyzd, mes] / ˈmɛz məˌraɪzd, ˈmɛs /

especially British, mesmerised

adjective

1. in a hypnotic or trancelike state; hypnotized.

   “I could create the odor of any kind of fruit and make a mesmerized person taste and smell it,” wrote 19th-century psychic Phineas Quimby.

2. having the attention completely absorbed; fascinated, captivated, or spellbound.

   At our first annual poetry slam, 28 students wielded their verbal prowess in front of a mesmerized audience of over 300.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of mesmerize.

Other Word Forms

• unmesmerized
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mesmerized

First recorded in 1825–35; mesmerize ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; mesmerize ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Explanation

If you’re mesmerized, you are so fascinated by something, you can’t look away. The mesmerized look in your eyes reveals that watching hockey seems to put you in a trance. Pronounced "mez-mur-ized," the adjective mesmerized describes being held in place by something — not physically — but by extreme interest in what you see or hear. Great movies keep you mesmerized or almost hypnotized with giant images and sounds. Being mesmerized almost feels like you are in a spell, as some people feel when looking at celebrity gossip and photos online.

Example Sentences

Mesmerized by Luna, legendary fashion photographer Richard Avedon signed her for a contract.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2023

Mesmerized by the beauty of these underwater animals, she set out on a path to study marine biology, eventually earning a Ph.D.

From Salon • May 14, 2022

Mesmerized by her discovery, she began devouring “everything I could that had been published about black Catholic history,” while setting out to interview founding members of the National Black Sisters’ Conference.

From Washington Times • Apr. 30, 2022

Mesmerized by Africa on a trip there after his college graduation in 1961, Mr. Beard bought 45 acres near the Ngong Hills outside Nairobi and established his camp.

From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2020

Mesmerized, he put down his suitcase and felt himself pulled into the room, like a moth fluttering helplessly towards the light.

From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick

Related Words

• absorbed
• aroused
• delighted
• enamored
• enchanted
• enthralled
• excited
• intoxicated
• thrilled