Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense mesmerizes, present participle mesmerizing, past tense, past participle mesmerizedregional note: in BRIT, also use mesmerise
verb
If you are mesmerized by something, you are so interested in it or so attracted to it that you cannot think about anything else.
He was absolutely mesmerised by Pavarotti on television. [beVERB-ed]
There was something about Pearl that mesmerised her. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: entrance, fascinate, absorb, captivate More Synonyms of mesmerize
mesmerizedadjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
I sat mesmerized long after the fairground closed.
mesmerizingadjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
She has a mesmerising smile.
mesmerize in British English
or mesmerise (ˈmɛzməˌraɪz)
verb(transitive)
1. a former word for hypnotize
2.
to hold (someone) as if spellbound
Derived forms
mesmerization (ˌmesmeriˈzation) or mesmerisation (ˌmesmeriˈsation)
noun
mesmerizer (ˈmesmerˌizer) or mesmeriser (ˈmesmerˌiser)
noun
mesmerize in American English
(ˈmɛzmərˌaɪz; ˈmɛsmərˌɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈmesmerˌized or ˈmesmerˌizing
to hypnotize; esp., to spellbind
Derived forms
mesmerization (ˌmesmeriˈzation)
noun
mesmerizer (ˈmesmerˌizer)
noun
Examples of 'mesmerize' in a sentence
mesmerize
The brightness, and the rhythmic way it struck his retina, seemed to mesmerize him.
Clive Barker THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)
Four pinpoint freckles at the angle of her jaw mesmerize me.
LeCompte, Jane MOON PASSAGE (2001)
In other languages
mesmerize
British English: mesmerize VERB
If you are mesmerized by something, you are so interested in it or so attracted to it that you cannot think about anything else.
He was absolutely mesmerized by the singer.
American English: mesmerize
Brazilian Portuguese: hipnotizar
Chinese: 迷住
European Spanish: hipnotizar
French: fasciner
German: faszinieren
Italian: ammaliare
Japanese: 魅了される
Korean: 매료되다
European Portuguese: hipnotizar
Latin American Spanish: hipnotizar
(verb)
Definition
to fascinate and hold spellbound
There was something about her which mesmerized him.
Synonyms
entrance
She entranced the audience with her classical Indian singing.
fascinate
She fascinated us, on and off stage.
absorb
a second career which absorbed her more completely than acting ever had
captivate
I was captivated by her sparkling personality.
grip
The whole nation was gripped by the dramatic story.
enthral
Children and adults alike are enthralled by his stories.
hypnotize
He's hypnotized by that black hair and that white face.
magnetize
hold spellbound
spellbind
Additional synonyms
in the sense of absorb
Definition
to engage the interest of someone
a second career which absorbed her more completely than acting ever had
Synonyms
engross,
hold,
involve,
fill,
arrest,
fix,
occupy,
engage,
fascinate,
preoccupy,
engulf,
fill up,
immerse,
rivet,
captivate,
monopolize,
enwrap
in the sense of captivate
Definition
to attract and hold the attention of
I was captivated by her sparkling personality.
Synonyms
charm,
attract,
fascinate,
absorb,
entrance,
dazzle,
seduce,
enchant,
enthral,
beguile,
allure,
bewitch,
ravish,
enslave,
mesmerize,
ensnare,
hypnotize,
enrapture,
sweep off your feet,
enamour,
infatuate
in the sense of enthral
Definition
to hold the attention or interest of
Children and adults alike are enthralled by his stories.
Synonyms
engross,
charm,
grip,
fascinate,
absorb,
entrance,
bewitch,
intrigue,
enchant,
rivet,
captivate,
beguile,
ravish,
mesmerize,
hypnotize,
enrapture,
hold spellbound,
spellbind
Synonyms of 'mesmerize'
mesmerize
Explore 'mesmerize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fascinate
Definition
to attract and delight by arousing interest
She fascinated us, on and off stage.
Synonyms
entrance,
delight,
charm,
absorb,
intrigue,
enchant,
rivet,
captivate,
enthral,
beguile,
allure,
bewitch,
ravish,
transfix,
mesmerize,
hypnotize,
engross,
enrapture,
interest greatly,
enamour,
hold spellbound,
spellbind,
infatuate
in the sense of grip
Definition
to hold the interest or attention of
The whole nation was gripped by the dramatic story.
Synonyms
engross,
fascinate,
absorb,
entrance,
hold,
catch up,
compel,
rivet,
enthral,
mesmerize,
spellbind
in the sense of hypnotize
Definition
to hold the attention of (someone) completely
He's hypnotized by that black hair and that white face.