Definition of hypnotic
1
: tending to produce sleep : soporific
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Examples of hypnotic in a Sentence
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 of hypnotic from the Web
-
Decades later, these now-classic pieces still create a hypnotic experience.
-
The set design of Dustin Pettigrew is a hypnotic bank of cell beds.
-
There are hypnotic videos starring a renowned Japanese mixologist whose cocktails resemble tiny terrariums, and a series in which a sushi chef makes onigiri—rice balls—that resemble the rapper Lil Uzi Vert or the K-pop star G-Dragon.
-
There’s no Crawler, no hypnotic suggestion, and Lena’s final showdown at the lighthouse is not with the psychologist, but with a humanoid being that’s more obviously alien than anything in VanderMeer’s book.
-
Assuming a fan transported from 1988 could take his or her eyes off the giant TV screens, the sight of the flags denoting a recent National League pennant and a World Series victory might be equally hypnotic.
-
The Soft Robotic Fish, aka SoFi, is a hypnotic machine, the likes of which the sea has never seen before.
-
Even David Copperfield, probably on the more conventionally handsome side by magician standards, has an intensity that verges on hypnotic.
-
Bordreuil’s collaborations with bass clarinetist Lea Bertucci are more hypnotic.
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.
Origin and Etymology of hypnotic
French or Late Latin; French hypnotique, from Late Latin hypnoticus, from Greek hypnōtikos, from hypnoun to put to sleep, from hypnos
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1625
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearhypnotic Synonyms
Antonyms
Near Antonyms
arousing, awakening, energizing, invigorating, rousing, stimulating, wakening, waking;
bracing, refreshing, restorative, reviving, stimulative, stimulatory;
Related Words
depressant, relaxant, sedative, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing);
calming, comforting, lulling, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, restful, settling, soothing;
analgesic, anesthetic, anesthetizing, benumbing, deadening, dulling, numbing;
Definition of hypnotic
1
: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific
2
: one that is or can be hypnotized
Recent Examples of hypnotic from the Web
-
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.
-
There are signs warning visitors not to use the spa while under the influence of hypnotics.
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.
First Known Use of hypnotic
1681
HYPNOTIC Defined for English Language Learners
hypnotic
Definition of hypnotic for English Language Learners
-
medical : a drug that causes sleep
HYPNOTIC Defined for Kids
Definition of hypnotic for Students
1
: of or relating to hypnosis
- a hypnotic state
2
: having an effect like that of hypnosis
- a hypnotic rhythm
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of hypnotic
1
: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific
2
: one that is or can be hypnotized
Learn More about hypnotic
-
See words that rhyme with hypnotic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hypnotic Spanish Central: Translation of hypnotic Nglish: Translation of hypnotic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hypnotic for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypnotic
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up hypnotic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
