hypnotic

1 of 2

adjective

hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnä-tik How to pronounce hypnotic (audio)
1
: tending to produce sleep : soporific
2
a
: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism
b
: readily holding the attention
a hypnotic personality
a simple hypnotic beat
hypnotically adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2

noun

1
: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific
2
: one that is or can be hypnotized

Examples of hypnotic in a Sentence

Adjective The psychologist put her into a hypnotic state. Riding in a car often has a hypnotic effect on babies. the steady, hypnotic rhythm of the train
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
And it’s been satisfyingly fun and hypnotic to use in my experience. Scott Kramer, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 The self gets effaced and re-created in so many cross hatches, small threads, and hypnotic patterns. Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
Certain classes of drugs, including certain antipsychotics, hypnotics, antidepressants, and anticholinergic medications, can trigger sundowning. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2024 One study looked at people taking hypnotics or anxiolytics—anti-anxiety medications— consistently for three years. Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 16 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hypnotic 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Late Latin; French hypnotique, from Late Latin hypnoticus, from Greek hypnōtikos, from hypnoun to put to sleep, from hypnos

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypnotic was in 1625

Dictionary Entries Near hypnotic

Cite this Entry

“Hypnotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypnotic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hypnotic

1 of 2 adjective
hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnät-ik How to pronounce hypnotic (audio)
1
: tending to cause sleep
2
: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism
hypnotically adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2 noun
: an agent (as a drug) that causes or tends to cause sleep

Medical Definition

hypnotic

1 of 2 adjective
hyp·​not·​ic hip-ˈnät-ik How to pronounce hypnotic (audio)
1
: tending to produce sleep : soporific
2
: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism
hypnotically adverb

hypnotic

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific
2
: one that is or can be hypnotized

More from Merriam-Webster on hypnotic

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