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

Falsely claiming to be able to screen viewers for a neurodevelopmental disorder in a 59-second video—one created specifically and intentionally to mesmerize all who watch—is not only highly unethical, but ineffably dangerous too. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Savor a delectable array of traditional German treats, from bratwurst and pretzels to sweet pastries and mulled wine, all while enjoying the sounds of live, mesmerizing music that fills the air. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024

Sarg was mesmerized, and the experience revived his childhood fascination with puppets. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

The youth culture scene that was just beginning to take shape in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood mesmerized Caserta, who had just spent an unhappy period in New York City working as a flight attendant. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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