mesmerize

[ mez-muh-rahyz, mes- ]

/ ˈmɛz məˌraɪz, ˈmɛs- /

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See synonyms for: mesmerize / mesmerized / mesmerizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), mes·mer·ized, mes·mer·iz·ing.

to hypnotize.

to spellbind; fascinate.

to compel by fascination.

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Also especially British, mes·mer·ise .

Origin of mesmerize

First recorded in 1820–30; mesmer(ism) + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM mesmerize

mes·mer·i·za·tion

[mez-muh-rahy-zey-shuhn, mes-], /ˌmɛz məˌraɪˈzeɪ ʃən, ˈmɛs-/, nounmes·mer·iz·er, nounun·mes·mer·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use mesmerize in a sentence

Just like Jackson, the impersonators mesmerized their audiences with their performances.
Moonwalking With the Many Michael Jacksons|Justin Jones|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I was actually happy in a way, because she was ready, but I remember just being mesmerized watching it.
‘My First Time’: Josh Duhamel on His First Kiss, First Heartbreak & More|Josh Duhamel|August 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The media are gushing over Bill Clinton after being mesmerized by Michelle Obama.
Are the Media Going Soft on the Democrats?|Howard Kurtz|September 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Watching the video,” Klaidman writes, “Holder was both mesmerized and repulsed.
7 Key Moments in Daniel Klaidman’s ‘Kill or Capture’ About Obama’s Drone War|Matthew DeLuca|June 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST

I had been mesmerized all my life by her tales of love, war, and escape that played out like a movie before my eyes.
‘Crossing the Borders of Time:’ A Mother’s Rekindled Love|Sandra McElwaine|May 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Davy Lannarck, who had spent his adult life in facing the public, now knew that he had 'em mesmerized.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
Both men and women were completely absorbed in his story, they seemed to be mesmerized by the earnestness of his manner.
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4)|Various
When a girl she was easily mesmerized and always took everything that was going, diseases and all.
Around Old Bethany|Robert Lee Berry
Yasmini made her little mistake that minute in believing King was utterly mesmerized at last and utterly in her power.
King--of the Khyber Rifles|Talbot Mundy
Mesmerized subjects do not see the objects or people in the room, or hear any noise whatever except the voice of the operator.
Buchanan's Journal of Man, January 1888|Various

British Dictionary definitions for mesmerize

mesmerize

mesmerise

/ (ˈmɛzməˌraɪz) /

verb (tr)

a former word for hypnotize

to hold (someone) as if spellbound

Derived forms of mesmerize

mesmerization or mesmerisation, nounmesmerizer or mesmeriser, noun

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

mesmerize

Origin of mesmerize

OTHER WORDS FROM mesmerize

Words related to mesmerize

How to use mesmerize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mesmerize

mesmerise

Derived forms of mesmerize