hypnotic

adjective

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

Other Words from hypnotic Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about hypnotic

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Synonyms & Antonyms for hypnotic

Synonyms: Adjective

drowsy, narcotic, opiate, sleepy, slumberous (or slumbrous), somniferous, somnolent, soporific

Antonyms: Adjective

stimulant

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

There is no scientific evidence that a hypnotic state exists. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "There’s No Such Thing as ‘Brainwashing’," 16 June 2019 In particular the subgenre of American short fiction known as minimalism captures … Characterized by the caprice and fatalism of fairy tales, the fiction of Shirley Jackson exerts a mordant, hypnotic spell. — The New York Review of Books, "Joyce Carol Oates," 9 May 2019 There are hypnotic mine lamps, the clank of dead souls, the rut of work that doesn’t pay. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, "Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell’s Musical Where Work Is Hell, Makes It to the Big Time," 19 Apr. 2019 The drum brigade wandered in and out of their 90-minute set, adding a primal intensity to ODESZA’s hypnotic blend of ambient atmospherics with future bass thumps and house propulsions. — Michael Rietmulder, The Seattle Times, "Review: Death Cab for Cutie, ODESZA’s Bellingham love fest starts summer early," 20 May 2019 In the Tuesday practice that media was allowed to watch, Curry was in his usual hypnotic shooting rhythm, making three after three. — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Lots of questions for Warriors but biggest is ‘What’s wrong with Steph?’," 16 May 2018 The beating of the drum seemed practically hypnotic. — Tiffany Martinbrough, New York Times, "Going With the Flow (and the Drumbeat, Too)," 29 Mar. 2018 In the center is a white-oak pedestal topped by an edition of a hypnotic, spiraling Georgia O’Keeffe sculpture. — Nancy Hass, ELLE Decor, "This Brian J. McCarthy-Designed Hamptons Home is Filled with the Unexpected," 13 Mar. 2019 Lance Wyman Lance Wyman’s design for the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics incorporated hypnotic geometric lines and colors, pre-Columbian artifacts and modern typography to create a quintessential op art logo. — Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, "Behind the scenes with influential graphic artists from 50 years ago," 30 May 2018

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.