posthypnotic

[ pohst-hip-not-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the period after hypnosis.
2. (of a suggestion) made during hypnosis so as to be effective after awakening.

Other Words From

• posthyp·noti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of posthypnotic¹

First recorded in 1885–90; post- + hypnotic

Example Sentences

MK-ULTRA sponsored work in posthypnotic suggestion that was designed to produce “programmed killers,” but it merely confirmed what every stage hypnotist has always known—that hypnosis is essentially a form of obedience to authority, and the hypnotist cannot make people do something they really don’t want to any more than a teacher who can “make” you solve problems on a blackboard can “make” you jump out a window.

From The New Yorker

Using posthypnotic suggestion, they get him to behave like their comic-book superhero, making the principal switch between Krupp and Captain Underpants with a dash of water in his face.

From Washington Post

Raz then ended the hypnosis session, leaving each person with what is called a posthypnotic suggestion—an instruction to carry out an action while not hypnotized.

From Scientific American

A 17-year-old Moscow high schooler took the digital world by storm with a website that A. Hypnotizes users and plants posthypnotic suggestions in their brains B. Smells like ginger-bread baking C. Randomly pairs people around the world for one-on-one video chats D. Loves you as only a mother could 2.

From Inc

But since it is witnesses' posthypnotic testimony that is most valuable to police, the Svengali squads in California and elsewhere continue to wither away.

From Time Magazine Archive