mesmerize

[ mez-muh-rahyz, mes- ]

verb (used with object)

, mes·mer·ized, mes·mer·iz·ing.

1. to completely capture the attention of; spellbind; fascinate:

   This young pianist has mesmerized audiences with her incredible technique and range of musical expression.

2. to hypnotize or put into a trancelike state; cause (someone) to be open to the power of suggestion or unable to act on their own:

   According to ancient myth, the song of the sea nymphs mesmerized sailors, drawing them into disastrous waters.

3. to cause or compel through fascination or by hypnotizing:

   Advertising can easily mesmerize us into thinking that wealth is the same as money and possessions.

   In this game scene, the warriors do not know they’ve been mesmerized into the service of the enemy.

mesmerize

/ ˈmɛzməˌraɪz /

verb

1. a former word for hypnotize
2. to hold (someone) as if spellbound

Derived Forms

• ˈmesmerˌizer, noun
• ˌmesmeriˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• mes·mer·i·za·tion [mez-m, uh, -rahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n, mes-], noun
• mes·mer·iz·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesmerize¹

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation from mesmerism

Example Sentences

Chen accomplished just that, mesmerizing with his speed and flow, and effortless leaps.

From Time

The glimmering shades of blue and green mesmerize curious fish and squid, tempting them closer.

From Popular-Science

I was mesmerized by her ease with it and could almost see what kind of person she might be in the world if I didn’t know her and she didn’t know me.

From MIT Technology Review

He was mesmerized by the way she moved the wood around in the fire, so that the fish never overcooked or fell apart.

From Washington Post

Last April, former coach Bill O’Brien traded mesmerizing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona for a cactus and a Grand Canyon day pass.

From Washington Post

Unlikely star manages to mesmerize Jews, Arabs through 'Mizrahi' songs.

From The Daily Beast

"They used to tell me that I had the strange gift of being able to mesmerize people," she muttered.

From Project Gutenberg

If I were to mesmerize all the women who wish me to, I should have no opportunity to benefit science by any valuable experiments.

From Project Gutenberg

As she knew the truth, she was telling it to him, as surely as she was doing her skillful best to mesmerize him.

From Project Gutenberg

He would mesmerize me into a most refreshing sleep with a prolonged and pleasing manipulation.

From Project Gutenberg

Your man may be a fancy mesmerizer, or mesmerize you, now that it is flying about like an epidemic, without knowing it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• enthrall
• fascinate
• hypnotize
• stupefy