mesmerize

verb

mes·​mer·​ize ˈmez-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce mesmerize (audio)
 also  ˈmes-
mesmerized; mesmerizing

transitive verb

1
: to subject to mesmerism
also : hypnotize
2
: spellbind
I found myself mesmerized by the grandiosity of it allArnold Plotnick
The crowd was mesmerized by the acrobats.
mesmerizer noun

Did you know?

Experts can’t agree on whether Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) was a quack or a genius, but all concede that the Swabian physician's name is the source of the word mesmerize. In his day, Mesmer was the toast of Paris, where he enjoyed the support of notables including Queen Marie Antoinette. He treated patients with therapeutic procedures (called, appropriately enough, mesmerism) involving what he claimed was a mysterious force termed animal magnetism. (Many believe that mesmerism was what we now call hypnotism). Accordingly, the verb mesmerize was first used to mean "to subject to mesmerism" before broadening to be synonymous with hypnotize, and later to mean "to amaze or captivate."

Examples of mesmerize in a Sentence

discovered that the children were mesmerized by a television show
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And make time for the sunrises and sunsets, which set the uncluttered horizon ablaze in mesmerizing shades of orange. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024 And through her mesmerizing filmmaking, Kapadia creates a world that didn’t seem possible — which, of course, reinforces how imaginary this new place might prove to be. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024 Designed to bring mesmerizing audio outdoors, the speaker is high-quality engineering, waterproof, dustproof, and shatterproof. Sofia Goldstein, SPIN, 6 Nov. 2024 Its beauty lies in its kind people, mesmerizing wildlife, and remote, hidden landscapes. Shaun Stanley, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mesmerize 

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesmerize was in 1829

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Dictionary Entries Near mesmerize

Cite this Entry

“Mesmerize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesmerize. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

mesmerize

verb
mes·​mer·​ize ˈmez-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce mesmerize (audio)
also
ˈmes- How to pronounce mesmerize (audio)
mesmerized; mesmerizing

Medical Definition

mesmerize

transitive verb
mes·​mer·​ize
variants or British mesmerise
mesmerized or British mesmerised; mesmerizing or British mesmerising
: to subject to mesmerism
also : hypnotize
mesmerization noun
or British mesmerisation

More from Merriam-Webster on mesmerize

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