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hallucinogen

noun

hal·​lu·​ci·​no·​gen hə-ˈlü-sə-nə-jən How to pronounce hallucinogen (audio)
: a substance that induces hallucinations
hallucinogenic adjective or noun

Examples of hallucinogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His attorneys said Emerson had hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, which made the effects of the psychedelic drug last for days instead of hours. Alex Sundby, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025 Beneath its polished image, the academy hides disturbing practices, using hallucinogens and psychological conditioning to strip students of their trauma — and often, their very sense of self. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025 The Native American Church, which is considered the largest Indigenous church in America and is located throughout the Southwest, has been legally using peyote, a hallucinogen, for services since the 1990s. Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025 The research is so promising, in fact, that health experts, Wall Street investors and others widely believe the Food and Drug Administration eventually will approve some hallucinogens as therapies and, when that happens, there will be a huge market for those treatments. Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hallucinogen

Word History

Etymology

hallucination + -o- + -gen

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hallucinogen was in 1954

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hallucinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hallucinogen. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

hallucinogen

noun
hal·​lu·​ci·​no·​gen hə-ˈlü-sə-nə-jən How to pronounce hallucinogen (audio)
: a drug that causes hallucinations
hallucinogenic adjective

Medical Definition

hallucinogen

noun
hal·​lu·​ci·​no·​gen hə-ˈlüs-ᵊn-ə-jən How to pronounce hallucinogen (audio)
: a substance and especially a drug that induces hallucinations

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