hypnotic

1 of 2

adjective

hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnä-tik 

1

: tending to produce sleep : soporific

2

a

: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism

b

: readily holding the attention

a hypnotic personality

a simple hypnotic beat

hypnotically

hip-ˈnä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific

2

: one that is or can be hypnotized

Synonyms of hypnotic

Adjective

• soothing
• hypnotizing
• narcotic
• soporific
• opiate
• drowsy
• sleepy
• somnolent
• slumberous
• comforting

Examples of hypnotic in a Sentence

Adjective

The psychologist put her into a hypnotic state.

Riding in a car often has a hypnotic effect on babies.

the steady, hypnotic rhythm of the train

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Four Tet’s sense for sound design shines from crushed 8-bit drums to the hypnotic handpan grooves and sharp synth melodies. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 19 July 2026

The London saxophonist and his ensemble fuse jazz with diverse strains of global trance music—Moroccan gnawa, Berlin kosmische—into a hypnotic, utopian expression of spiritual union. — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026

Noun

An example of over-the-counter drugs are anti-histamines that can help with insomnia, while some prescription drugs doctors may use are different types of sedatives and hypnotics. — Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024

Certain classes of drugs, including certain antipsychotics, hypnotics, antidepressants, and anticholinergic medications, can trigger sundowning. — Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Late Latin; French hypnotique, from Late Latin hypnoticus, from Greek hypnōtikos, from hypnoun to put to sleep, from hypnos

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hypnotic

• aprotic
• aquatic
• biotic
• chaotic
• cirrhotic
• demotic
• despotic
• dichotic
• erotic
• euphotic
• exotic
• fibrotic

Kids Definition

hypnotic

1 of 2 adjective

hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnät-ik 

1

: tending to cause sleep

2

: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism

hypnotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2 noun

: an agent (as a drug) that causes or tends to cause sleep

Medical Definition

hypnotic

1 of 2 adjective

hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnät-ik 

1

: tending to produce sleep : soporific

2

: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism

hypnotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific

2

: one that is or can be hypnotized