Definition

1. Noun:
   • A trance-like state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility: "hypnosis" refers to a mental state, often resembling sleep, in which an individual experiences increased concentration, reduced peripheral awareness, and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestions. It is typically induced by a procedure involving suggestions for relaxation, calmness, and well-being.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The therapist used hypnosis to help the patient manage chronic pain.
  • Some people are more susceptible to hypnosis than others.
  • The stage show featured a demonstration of hypnosis on volunteers from the audience.

Advanced Usage

• "under hypnosis": in the hypnotic state.
  • The witness recalled details of the event while under hypnosis.
• "self-hypnosis": the act or process of inducing a hypnotic state in oneself.
  • She practiced self-hypnosis to reduce anxiety before public speaking.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypnotic (adj): relating to or inducing hypnosis; causing a trance-like or sleepy state.
  • The rhythmic sound had a hypnotic effect.
• Hypnotize (verb): to induce hypnosis in someone; to capture someone's attention completely.
  • The magician seemed to hypnotize the entire audience with his performance.
• Hypnotherapy (noun): the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy.
  • Hypnotherapy can be an effective tool for treating certain phobias.

Synonyms

• Trance: a half-conscious state characterized by an absence of response to external stimuli, often associated with hypnosis or religious ecstasy.
• Mesmerism: an archaic term for hypnosis, named after Franz Mesmer.

Related Phrases

• Post-hypnotic suggestion: a suggestion made to a person during hypnosis intended to be carried out after the hypnotic trance has ended.
  • The post-hypnotic suggestion was to feel a sense of calm whenever she heard a specific word.

Noun

1. a state that resembles sleep but that is induced by suggestion