hypnotize

[ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌhypnoˌtizaˈbility, noun
• ˈhypnoˌtizer, noun
• ˈhypnoˌtizable, adjective
• ˌhypnotiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• 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) rehypnotized rehypnotizing
• un·hypno·tiza·ble adjective
• un·hypno·tize verb (used with object) unhypnotized unhypnotizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypnotize¹

First recorded in 1843; hypnotism, -ize

Example Sentences

Since Nadja enjoys pretending to care, she “hypnotizes” the audience into thinking they’ve achieved the perfect finale by recreating what most people agree to be the perfect movie ending, albeit a version starring our vamps.

From Salon

It’s a disconcerting choice, one that hypnotizes as much as it unnerves.

From Salon

The surreal, visually hypnotizing production by Italian director Romeo Castellucci made little effort to make narrative sense.

From Los Angeles Times

In a tone that sounded like he was trying to hypnotize female voters, Trump instructed, "You will no longer be thinking about abortion."

From Salon

And Janice Franklin now said she and her sister had both been hypnotized to enhance their supposed recollections, and had both lied in court when they denied it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anesthetize
• captivate
• fascinate
• mesmerize
• stupefy