mesmerize

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

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

• arrest
• bedazzle
• catch up
• enchant
• enthrall
• enthral
• fascinate
• grip
• hypnotize
• spellbind

Examples of mesmerize in a Sentence

discovered that the children were mesmerized by a television show

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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