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 In Honduras, citizens have been mesmerized by news of the trial, which began Feb. 20. Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The lodge's digs are about as mesmerizing as the undulating scenery. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024 When my older sister, a mom of two little ones under the age of four, saw this small gem clipped onto my weekender bag, she was mesmerized. Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2024 He was mesmerized by the Ryoanji Temple's rock garden in Kyoto and even more mesmerized by the steady stream of tourists' faces to observe. Emily Siner, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone’s action film Fighter continues to mesmerize audience. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 Walking down the runway on January 5, models appeared as other-worldly creatures with supernaturally lustrous skin that left the internet completely mesmerized. Annie Blay, Allure, 30 Jan. 2024 Your little dreamer is sure to be mesmerized by the planetarium show, with its surround sound and captivating storytelling. Kathy Buccio, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 There are plenty of mesmerizing fish — silver whiting and red snappers — but there are also predators lurking that would scare most swimmers away: great white sharks. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mesmerize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesmerize was in 1829

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Dictionary Entries Near mesmerize

Cite this Entry

“Mesmerize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesmerize. Accessed 28 Mar. 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

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