as in hypnotism
the art or act of inducing in a person a sleeplike state during which he or she readily follows suggestions with hypnosis there's some question as to just how involuntary the actions of the hypnotized person really are

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hypnosis As a teenager, Neil worked for the Church of Scientology for three years as an auditor, a minister of the church who conducts a process some have likened to hypnosis. Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025 What are some of the other benefits of using hypnosis? Essence, 7 Jan. 2025 The thing about hypnosis is that the client is in control the entire time. Essence, 7 Jan. 2025 By applying hypnosis, Wilson attests that her personal dating experience is now more aligned than ever. Essence, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypnosis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypnosis
hypnotism
Noun
  • This hypnotism is especially conveyed through the film’s costumes.
    Eugenie Dalland, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
  • Other topics of his lectures over the years that followed included animal magnetism, hypnotism, and the ether.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 12 Apr. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypnosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypnosis. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hypnosis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!