hypnotic

1 of 2

adjective

hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnä-tik 

1

: tending to produce sleep : soporific

2

a

: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism

b

: readily holding the attention

a hypnotic personality

a simple hypnotic beat

hypnotically

hip-ˈnä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific

2

: one that is or can be hypnotized

Synonyms

Adjective

• drowsy
• narcotic
• opiate
• sleepy
• slumberous
• slumbrous
• somniferous
• somnolent
• soporific

Examples of hypnotic in a Sentence

Adjective

The psychologist put her into a hypnotic state.

Riding in a car often has a hypnotic effect on babies.

the steady, hypnotic rhythm of the train

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And it’s been satisfyingly fun and hypnotic to use in my experience. —Scott Kramer, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The self gets effaced and re-created in so many cross hatches, small threads, and hypnotic patterns. —Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Noun

Certain classes of drugs, including certain antipsychotics, hypnotics, antidepressants, and anticholinergic medications, can trigger sundowning. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2024

One study looked at people taking hypnotics or anxiolytics—anti-anxiety medications— consistently for three years. —Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 16 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Late Latin; French hypnotique, from Late Latin hypnoticus, from Greek hypnōtikos, from hypnoun to put to sleep, from hypnos

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hypnotic

1 of 2 adjective

hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnät-ik 

1

: tending to cause sleep

2

: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism

hypnotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2 noun

: an agent (as a drug) that causes or tends to cause sleep

Medical Definition

hypnotic

1 of 2 adjective

hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnät-ik 

1

: tending to produce sleep : soporific

2

: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism

hypnotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific

2

: one that is or can be hypnotized