as in hypnosis
the art or act of inducing in a person a sleeplike state during which he or she readily follows suggestions some people have undergone hypnotism in order to induce them to give up their smoking habit

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hypnotism Which is exactly what the 750iL does—in a fine, silent style made up of equal parts hypnotism and seduction. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 8 Apr. 2023 In the popular consciousness, hypnotism is the stuff of vampires, side shows and watch-waving therapists. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the most iconic hypnotism scene in movie history involves a teacup and a spoon in Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning 2017 film Get Out. Adario Strange, Quartz, 16 Aug. 2022 Proponents say hypnotism deserves more attention from mainstream medicine as it has been used to treat anxiety, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and more. Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2022 See All Example Sentences for hypnotism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypnotism
Noun
  • In early March 2024, McIlroy experimented with hypnosis.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But his arrival shifts the film’s entire mood, as his baritone murmurings cast a sort of hypnosis on Clarence.
    Beatrice Loayza, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At the club, time allows automatisms and structure to become habit.
    Philipp Lahm, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Their players look connected, know where each other are and play with fluidity and automatism.
    Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Barrymore’s turn in the lead role is itself a feat of silver-screen mesmerism, portraying Svengali as a cruel yet magnetic figure who wields his own charisma as an instrument of terrible power.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025
  • But there’s a strange sort of mesmerism around it.
    Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

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Cite this Entry

“Hypnotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypnotism. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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