mesmerize

1 of 2

verb

mes·​mer·​ize ˈmez-mə-ˌrīz 

also ˈmes-

mesmerized; mesmerizing

transitive verb

1

: to subject to mesmerism

also : hypnotize

2

: spellbind

… I found myself mesmerized by the grandiosity of it all.

—Arnold Plotnick

The crowd was mesmerized by the acrobats.

mesmerizer noun

mesmerizer

2 of 2

noun

mes·​mer·​iz·​er

variants also British mesmeriser

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that mesmerizes : hypnotist

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."

Synonyms of mesmerize

Verb

• fascinate
• enchant

Examples of mesmerize in a Sentence

Verb

discovered that the children were mesmerized by a television show

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The boy was mesmerized by its interactive exhibits, which required him to push buttons and pull levers to determine the outcomes of science demonstrations. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Leah wasn't only mesmerized by refills. —Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026

Patterson’s crafts a moody atmosphere that will mesmerize you. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 June 2026

Maisey Kolpak was one of many mesmerized by the sight of the flag. —Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

mesmer(ism) + -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mesmerize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

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Kids Definition

mesmerize

verb

mes·​mer·​ize ˈmez-mə-ˌrīz 

also

ˈmes- 

mesmerized; mesmerizing

1

: hypnotize

2

: fascinate sense 1, spellbind

Medical Definition

mesmerize

transitive verb

mes·​mer·​ize

variants or British mesmerise

-mə-ˌrīz 

mesmerized or British mesmerised; mesmerizing or British mesmerising

: to subject to mesmerism

also : hypnotize

mesmerization noun

or British mesmerisation

ˌmez-mə-ri-ˈzā-shən