hypnosis

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A state like sleep in which a person is relaxed and easily influenced, often used for medical treatment.

   Grammar: Uncountable, so it does not take 'a' or a plural. You can say 'under hypnosis' or 'a state of hypnosis'.

   Patterns

   • under hypnosis
   • induce hypnosis
   • use hypnosis
   • a state of hypnosis

   The therapist used hypnosis to help the patient stop smoking.

   While under hypnosis, she recalled details she had forgotten.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   The scientific study or practice of putting people into a trance-like state.

   Grammar: Refers to the field or technique; often used with 'of' to specify the type.

   Patterns

   • the study of hypnosis
   • practice hypnosis
   • clinical hypnosis

   He studied hypnosis as part of his psychology degree.

   Clinical hypnosis is sometimes used to manage chronic pain.

Common combinations

under hypnosis

People can sometimes remember forgotten events under hypnosis.

induce hypnosis

The doctor used a gentle voice to induce hypnosis.

clinical hypnosis

Clinical hypnosis is a recognized treatment for certain anxiety disorders.

self-hypnosis

She practices self-hypnosis to reduce stress.

Synonyms and how they differ

trance

Trance is a broader term for a sleep-like state; hypnosis specifically refers to the state induced by a hypnotist.

mesmerism

Mesmerism is an old-fashioned term for hypnosis; it is rarely used today except in historical contexts.

Word family

hypnotic adjective

Relating to hypnosis or causing sleep.

hypnotize verb

To put someone into a state of hypnosis.

hypnotist noun

A person who performs hypnosis.

hypnotherapy noun

The use of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes.

Commonly confused: hypnosis or hypnotic?

Practice

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