hypnotize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to put in the hypnotic state.
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to influence, control, or direct completely, as by personal charm, words, or domination.
The speaker hypnotized the audience with his powerful personality.
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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)
verb
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to induce hypnosis in (a person)
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to charm or beguile; fascinate
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’ve always been hypnotized by the sky, by the light and how light works with the clouds.
From Los Angeles Times
The children were hypnotized by her words, but Penelope felt uneasy.
From Literature
Michael may have only just turned twelve, but he knew one thing for sure: there was something strange about a guy who was hypnotized by garbage and didn’t know what year it was.
From Literature
Watching a trickster hypnotize someone in a live performance might impress you.
It’s this hypnotizing thing that I would observe and take note of whenever I was on the same route.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
