hypnotic

adjective

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hyp·not·ic | \ hip-ˈnä-tik

Definition of hypnotic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : tending to produce sleep : soporific

2a : of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism

b : readily holding the attention a hypnotic personality a simple hypnotic beat

hypnotic

noun

Definition of hypnotic (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a sleep-inducing agent : soporific

2 : one that is or can be hypnotized

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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 The mix of drones and complex rapid-fire ornamentation with the fretting fingers, coupled with group singing, polyrhythmic hand-clapping and head-nodding grooves translate to deeply hypnotic music. — John Adamian, courant.com, "Best bets: Our picks for this week’s concerts in Connecticut," 29 Sep. 2019 Banderas’s performance, which balances charm and menace, sums up what makes him so hypnotic to watch. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Antonio Banderas Is One of the Best Movie Stars of His Generation," 27 Sep. 2019 Over the years, Portland audiences have grown to love Brazil’s hypnotic Grupo Corpo, which mixes contemporary dance with athletic Afro-Brazilian movement. — oregonlive, "Hip-hop, Brazilian athleticism and a classic fairy tale step up the winter dance season," 6 Jan. 2020 Mr Sandler allows himself to blend into the strange and hypnotic sensibility of the film. — The Economist, "Precious little “Uncut Gems” is a masterwork of tension," 16 Dec. 2019 The flavors catapult between smoke and spice and bitterness, roiling the palate in hypnotic waves. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: At la Diosa de los Moles, otherworldly cooking from L.A.’s mole goddess," 23 Oct. 2019 From rainbow-generating waterfalls to a hypnotic fog tunnel, the show is both sensory and thought-provoking. — Jaimie Potters, ELLE Decor, "Where Design Lovers Should Explore in London This Summer," 23 July 2019 Now that soca is becoming a more recognizable genre of music outside of the Caribbean, a flurry of events and experiences are being created year after year to meet the growing love, appreciation and demand for its sweet, hypnotic sound. — Anquanette Gaspard, Essence, "7 Soca Filled Events That Should Be On Your Radar in 2019," 30 Dec. 2019 The scuffed-up soul samples, with sweeping strings, cooing vocalists and swaying guitar washes set up hypnotic backdrops for Stalley’s steady and controlled lyricism. — John Adamian, courant.com, "Rapper Stalley performing at the State House," 6 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The festival, which started in 1976, is bringing wacky comedy shows, unique music performances, daring jousts, acrobatics, hypnotics and even big cats to 10 stages around the 30-acre festival grounds, located 30 minutes south of Denver in Larkspur. — Kaitlyn Bancroft, The Know, "Hear ye, hear ye! Make haste to the Colorado Renaissance Festival," 18 June 2019 There was no consensus among professionals in Cleveland over whether the availability of methamphetamine or the drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, such as Xanax, Klonopin or Ativan, has increased. — Laura Hancock, cleveland.com, "Report: Heroin dealers try to sell at methadone clinics, 12-step meetings," 7 July 2017 There are signs warning visitors not to use the spa while under the influence of hypnotics. — Richard Morgan, New York Times, "A Korean Spa Offers Saunas, Bibimbap and a Taste of Home in New Jersey," 2 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hypnotic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.