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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
He was mesmerized by Ralph Lauren’s story about how a boy from the Bronx, N.Y., could create one of the most recognizable brands in American fashion and dreamed of following in those famous footsteps. Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024 The bright yellow, orange and red hues of the fall foliage are enough to mesmerize any Michigander. Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 26 Oct. 2024 Afterward, these mammals exhibited slow, trance-like behavior, floating near the surface, seemingly mesmerized by their surroundings. Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 That and his infectious hip-swiveling cumbia dance moves and mesmerizing zapateado stomping. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 20 Sep. 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

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near mesmerize

Cite this Entry

“Mesmerize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesmerize. Accessed 14 Nov. 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

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!