Meaning & use
hypnotism
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Meaning
noununcountable
The practice or study of putting people into a trance-like state in which they are relaxed and open to suggestion.
Grammar: Uncountable; refers to the technique or field, not a single event.
Patterns
- practice hypnotism
- use hypnotism
- study hypnotism
He uses hypnotism to help people quit smoking.
Hypnotism is sometimes used in therapy to reduce anxiety.
She gave a talk on the history of hypnotism.
Common combinations
- stage hypnotism
- Stage hypnotism is performed for entertainment.
- clinical hypnotism
- Clinical hypnotism can help with pain management.
- under hypnotism
- Under hypnotism, some people recall forgotten memories.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hypnosis
- Hypnosis often means the state itself, while hypnotism refers to the practice or technique.
Word family
Commonly confused: hypnotism or hypnosis?
hypnotism vs hypnosis
Hypnosis is the trance state; hypnotism is the technique or practice.
Practice
The doctor uses ______ to help patients relax during treatment.
Choose one answer.
'Hypnotism' fits as the practice or technique. 'Hypnosis' would refer to the state, 'hypnotic' is an adjective, and 'hypnotist' is a person.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hypnotism”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.