hypnotic 1 of 2

adjective

hip-ˈnä-tik How to pronounce hypnotic (audio)
Definition of hypnoticnext
as in soothing
tending to cause sleep her eyes soon grew heavy from the hypnotic rhythm of the train's wheels

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hypnotic

2 of 2

noun

as in sedative

Related Words

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 hypnotic
Adjective
His sustained concentration throughout the 70-minute performance was hypnotic. — Thomas Rom, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026 The hypnotic motifs and stylized figures in these collections lit a fuse for Nilsson and her peers, seeding a fascination with non-Western art that has continued throughout her career. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Noun
Clues point Rourke toward Diana Cruz (Alice Braga), a storefront psychic who fills the detective in on the phenomenon of hypnotics. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2023 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, 7 July 2017 See All Example Sentences for hypnotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypnotic
  1. soothing
  2. sedative
  3. hypnotizing
  4. tranquilizer
  5. narcotic
  6. soporific
  7. opiate
  8. drowsy
Adjective
  • The space has a dramatic 28-foot Palladian rotunda, a saltwater soaking tub, a sauna, a steam room and a wall of water that creates a soothing, flowing sound.
    — Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • That leaves us with smart solutions and savvy helpers that are specifically designed to minimize the heat, remove stuffiness, and provide soothing, cooling relief.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
Definition of soothing
Noun
  • Native to the Pacific Islands, its active compounds (kavalactones) act directly on the brain's GABA receptors much like a mild sedative and are typically used for acute anxiety or insomnia.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • All Florida executions are carried out by lethal injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Definition of sedative
Adjective
  • This artist layers glossy swirls over a white cat-eye base for a hypnotizing final result.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 July 2026
  • With this in mind, here are 25 stop-motion movies that are hypnotizing to watch.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Definition of hypnotizing
Noun
  • Other monkeys, including some of the larger and more dominant macaques, had to be subdued with tranquilizer darts before they could be captured.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • The worrisome drug withdrawal popping up in jails A powerful tranquilizer has started to accompany fentanyl in the country’s illicit opioid supply, and jails are struggling to handle the drug’s excruciating, complicated withdrawal symptoms.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026
Definition of tranquilizer
Adjective
  • The collection also accepts medical sharps, including diabetic needles, blood lancets, insulin pens, epi-pens, syringes, expired over-the-counter medicines and non-narcotic prescriptions.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • The ongoing Operation Southern Spear, the narcotic interdiction mission in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, is also supported by multiple other warships, including the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Definition of narcotic
Adjective
  • The calm atmosphere occasionally borders on soporific.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • This time around, the latter stages are at risk of being soporific because Alcaraz is out with injury and Sinner is on a 30-match winning run.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Definition of soporific
Adjective
  • Aegon, reeling from his brother’s betrayal and, likely, the early stages of opiate withdrawal, refuses to pledge (pretend) fealty to the Blacks and so Larys reveals Aegon’s identity.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Later, the woman’s daughter was born with opiate dependence and had to stay in the hospital for several months after birth.
    — Adeline Goss, New Yorker, 11 June 2026
Definition of opiate
Adjective
  • Allergy drugs can ease those symptoms and make people drowsy, potentially offering relief from insomnia.
    — Kara Smythe, EverydayHealth.com, 15 May 2026
  • Fleets that deployed the company's AI dash cams, which detect drowsy or distracted driving, saw a 73% reduction in accidents after 30 months, according to company data from more than 2,600 customers.
    — TIME Contributors, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of drowsy

Browse Nearby Words

hypnosis
hypnotic
hypnotics
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Cite this Entry

“Hypnotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypnotic. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hypnotic

Nglish: Translation of hypnotic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypnotic

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