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

Adjective

• drowsy
• narcotic
• opiate
• sleepy
• slumberous
• slumbrous
• somniferous
• somnolent
• soporific

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

After countless iterations of creators mimicking the hypnotic hip gyrations to Laila!’s trance-inducing voice, her internet earworm entered Billboard’s TikTok charts at Number Four in May. —Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024

But the simplicity of the edit doesn’t matter a whole lot because the song was just made to be listened to fast: the extra speed makes the thick bassline and jingling cowbell turn hypnotic. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 5 Sep. 2024

Noun

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

One study looked at people taking hypnotics or anxiolytics—anti-anxiety medications— consistently for three years. —Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 16 Mar. 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

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