hypnotize

especially British, hyp·no·tise

[hip-nuh-tahyz]

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.

verb (used without object)

hypnotized, hypnotizing 

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

hypnotize

/ ˈhɪpnəˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to induce hypnosis in (a person)

2. to charm or beguile; fascinate

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypnotize¹

First recorded in 1843; hypnotism, -ize

Example Sentences

The soil is a striking crimson, the kind of red that hypnotizes you before something else kills you.

Read more on Literature

The children were hypnotized by her words, but Penelope felt uneasy.

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But instead of walking away, Gibby said, “What were you doing over there, anyway? You looked hypnotized.”

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Watching a trickster hypnotize someone in a live performance might impress you.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s this hypnotizing thing that I would observe and take note of whenever I was on the same route.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anesthetize 
• captivate 
• fascinate 
• mesmerize 
• stupefy