hypnotise

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To put someone into a trance-like state in which they are very open to suggestion.

   Grammar: Takes an object: hypnotise a volunteer.

   Patterns

   • hypnotise someone

   The performer hypnotised a volunteer on stage.

   A therapist can hypnotise patients to help them relax.

   She was hypnotised to forget her fear of flying.

2. 2verbtransitivefigurative

   To hold someone's attention so completely that they cannot look away.

   Grammar: Often passive: be hypnotised by something.

   Patterns

   • be hypnotised by something

   The flickering flames hypnotised the children.

   He was hypnotised by the screen for hours.

   Waves hypnotise me every time I visit the coast.

Word forms

Common combinations

hypnotise a volunteer

He will hypnotise a volunteer from the audience.

hypnotised by

We were hypnotised by the dancer's grace.

hypnotise someone into

Don't let ads hypnotise you into buying more.

easily hypnotised

Not everyone is easily hypnotised.

hypnotising gaze

The snake had a hypnotising gaze.

Synonyms and how they differ

mesmerize

Mesmerize stresses fascination that holds attention, while hypnotise first means inducing a trance.

entrance

Entrance means delight and enchant, less technical than hypnotise.

captivate

Captivate suggests charm and attraction, not a trance.

spellbind

Spellbind implies magic-like attention in a story or performance.

Word family

hypnosis noun

A trance-like state.

hypnotist noun

A person who hypnotises.

hypnotic adjective

Having a sleep-inducing or fascinating effect.

hypnotism noun

The practice of inducing hypnosis.

hypnotisation noun

The act of hypnotising, British spelling.

Commonly confused: hypnotise or hypnotic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hypnotise”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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