Merriam - Webster Word of the day *mesmerize*

mesmerize


verb


mes·​mer·​ize ˈmez-mə-ˌrīz
also  ˈmes-
mesmerized; mesmerizing

Synonyms of mesmerize

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

It was labeled Texas Caviar, and I was almost mesmerized by the textures and flavors.

—G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023

 Early in his journey into watches, he was mesmerized by this complication but always hated how it was concealed on the reverse of the watch, which prevents you from enjoying the beautiful choreography of the gongs in tandem with the music.

 — Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2023

 The most fun part to sing is Michelle Williams’ mesmerizing bridge, which is arguably one of the best of all time.

 — Ada Tseng, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2023