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Hypnotic: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：mesmerizing (hypnotic)

hypnotic 🔊

/hɪpˈnɒtɪk/

adj.

Describing something that has a strong, fascinating effect on you, making you feel very relaxed and unable to look away, like when you watch a flickering candle.

Hypnotic meaning illustrated: person in trance watching a swinging pocket watch.

mesmerizing 🔊

➕

/ˈmezməraɪzɪŋ/

adj.

Describes something so powerfully fascinating and rhythmic that it captures your full attention, inducing a state of deep relaxation or trance.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'hypnos' (sleep) + '-tic' (adjective suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'HYpno-sleep' + 'TIC' like a ticking clock. A hypnotic rhythm can put you in a sleep-like, focused trance.

📖 Example

Sitting by the ocean and listening to the hypnotic rhythm of the waves made all my worries disappear for a while. 🔊 Sitting by the ocean and listening to the mesmerizing rhythm of the waves made all my worries disappear for a while.

🔗 Collocations

hypnotic rhythm – A repetitive, captivating pattern of sound or movement.

hypnotic gaze – A steady, compelling look that seems to hold one's attention completely.

hypnotic suggestion – An idea or command implanted in the mind during a hypnotic state.

🔄 Synonyms

mesmerizing (adj.) – Holding one's attention completely as if by magic.

entrancing (adj.) – Capable of attracting and holding interest; charming.

spellbinding (adj.) – Holding one's attention as if by a spell; fascinating.

🚫 Antonyms

uninteresting (adj.) – Not attracting attention or curiosity; dull.

alerting (adj.) – Making someone fully awake and aware.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from 'Hypnos', the Greek god of sleep. The term was adopted into medicine in the 18th century to describe sleep-inducing agents and later into psychology for trance states, reflecting its ancient link to sleep and altered consciousness.

Meaning 2：sleep-inducing (hypnotic)

hypnotic 🔊

/hɪpˈnɒtɪk/

adj.

A type of medicine (noun use) that doctors sometimes give to people to help them fall asleep when they have serious sleep problems.

Hypnotic drug definition: close-up of sleep aid pills and water on blue background.

sleep-inducing 🔊

➕

/sliːp ɪnˈdjuːsɪŋ/

adj.

Refers to a drug or substance, typically used as a noun, that is specifically administered to help a person fall asleep.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The doctor prescribed a mild hypnotic to help her get through the first few nights of recovering from the stressful event. 🔊 The doctor prescribed a mild sleep-inducing drug to help her get through the first few nights of recovering from the stressful event.

🔗 Collocations

prescribe a hypnotic – To officially recommend and provide a sleep-inducing medication.

take a hypnotic – To ingest a medication intended to induce sleep.

hypnotic effect – The sleep-causing result of a drug or treatment.

🔄 Synonyms

soporific (n./adj.) – A drug or substance that tends to induce drowsiness or sleep.

sedative (n.) – A drug that has a calming or sleep-inducing effect.

🚫 Antonyms

stimulant (n.) – A substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.

🌱 Derivatives

hypnotism (n.) – The study or act of inducing a hypnotic state.

hypnotist (n.) – A person who induces hypnosis.

hypnotize (v.) – To induce a state of hypnosis; to capture someone's attention completely.