Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

mesmerism

American  
[mez-muh-riz-uhm, mes-] / ˈmɛz məˌrɪz əm, ˈmɛs- /

noun

  1. hypnosis as induced, according to F. A. Mesmer, through animal magnetism.

  2. hypnotism.

  3. a compelling attraction; fascination.


mesmerism British  
/ ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm /

noun

  1. a hypnotic state induced by the operator's imposition of his will on that of the patient

  2. an early doctrine concerning this

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of mesmerism

First recorded in 1775–85; Mesmer + -ism

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.

See Examples For:

Chapnick discovered Alcott’s other stories as part of his research into spiritualism and mesmerism.

From Seattle Times Jan. 17, 2024

Barnum, the vogue for mesmerism, theories of the universe, the birth of the Smithsonian Institution and, not least, the careers of the important early American scientists Joseph Henry and Alexander Dallas Bache.

From Washington Post Jun. 2, 2021

She’s capable of teleportation, energy projection, mesmerism, planting thoughts, and creating illusions.

From Slate Feb. 19, 2021

I do think it’s like a kind of mesmerism — it’s a feature of shock.

From Los Angeles Times May 17, 2019

In addition to its medical uses, mesmerism was a popular fad, performed in theaters or at home parties.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training