hypnotism

noun

hyp·​no·​tism ˈhip-nə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce hypnotism (audio)
1
: the study or act of inducing hypnosis compare mesmerism
2
hypnotist noun

Examples of hypnotism in a Sentence

a psychologist who employs hypnotism to treat his patients some people have undergone hypnotism in order to induce them to give up their smoking habit
Recent Examples on the Web It’s taken 200 years for hypnotism to evolve from a medical treatment to stage gag. Emily Latimer, Longreads, 25 Jan. 2024 The speed-freak who next year will stalk King to Memphis, here gets a nose job while trying to learn hypnotism and become a pornographer. Matt Thompson, Spin, 10 Sep. 2023 There’s something like a collective hypnotism happening. John Bleasdale, Variety, 7 Aug. 2023 Which is exactly what the 750iL does—in a fine, silent style made up of equal parts hypnotism and seduction. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 8 Apr. 2023 Donald Trump is a master of hypnotism. Erik Burbank, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2020 There are historical accounts that suggest the matter was originally coined as road hypnotism, which eventually was renamed highway hypnosis. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2021 In the popular consciousness, hypnotism is the stuff of vampires, side shows and watch-waving therapists. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the most iconic hypnotism scene in movie history involves a teacup and a spoon in Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning 2017 film Get Out. Adario Strange, Quartz, 16 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypnotism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypnotism was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near hypnotism

Cite this Entry

“Hypnotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypnotism. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hypnotism

noun
hyp·​no·​tism ˈhip-nə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce hypnotism (audio)
1
: the study of or act of causing hypnosis
2

Medical Definition

hypnotism

noun
hyp·​no·​tism ˈhip-nə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce hypnotism (audio)
1
: the study or act of inducing hypnosis compare mesmerism
2

More from Merriam-Webster on hypnotism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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