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

The mesmerizing mauve backdrop is juxtaposed by a white gold case, two white opal subdials, and two striking tourbillons. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024

Hoffmann earned three Emmy nominations, two for Supporting Actress on Transparent for her role as Ali Pfefferman, and a Guest Actress nomination for her performance as Adam’s erratic and mesmerizing sister Caroline on Girls. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2024

Natural Habitat Adventure’s Kingdom of the Monarchs is an amazing 6-day tour that takes you on a journey to a secluded mountaintop forest to spot myriad monarch butterflies taking to the skies in a mesmerizing spectacle (they have even been known to land on lucky onlookers). —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

While Arizona is known for its stunning natural wonders, like the buttes of Monument Valley and the mesmerizing Antelope Canyon, a seasonal marvel also captures the imagination: the cougar shadow. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 19 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