Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having the quality of inducing or resembling hypnosis; tending to attract and hold attention as if by a spell: Describes something that captures attention so completely it is like being in a trance.
   • Of or relating to hypnosis: Pertaining to the state of hypnosis or the practice of inducing it.

2. Noun:

   • A drug that induces sleep: A substance, especially a medication, used to cause drowsiness or sleep.
   • (Archaic) A person who is hypnotized or susceptible to hypnosis: This usage is now rare.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The dancer's movements were slow and hypnotic. (Her movements were so captivating they held the audience's complete focus.)
  • He spoke in a low, hypnotic tone. (His voice had a mesmerizing quality that was hard to ignore.)
  • The study of hypnotic phenomena is a branch of psychology. (This refers to research related to the state of hypnosis.)

• Noun:

  • The doctor prescribed a hypnotic to help with her insomnia. (The medication was intended to induce sleep.)
  • In the old text, the subject was referred to as the hypnotic. (This uses the outdated meaning of a person under hypnosis.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Hypnotic as an adjective often describes sensory experiences—like music, visuals, or rhythms—that are so absorbing they dull other awareness.
• In medical terminology, a hypnotic is a specific class of sedative drugs whose primary purpose is to initiate and maintain sleep. It is more specific than a general sedative.
• The adjective can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying a loss of control or will, as in

Variants and Related Words

• Hypnosis (n): The state or practice of being hypnotized.
• Hypnotize (v): To induce a state of hypnosis in someone; to capture someone's attention completely.
• Hypnotist (n): A person who induces hypnosis.
• Posthypnotic (adj): Occurring after or as a result of hypnosis (e.g., a ).
• Hypnotically (adv): In a hypnotic manner.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Mesmerizing, spellbinding, captivating, entrancing, soporific (when emphasizing sleep-inducing quality).
• Noun: Soporific, sedative, sleep aid, sleeping pill.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Boring, dull, uninteresting, alert, stimulating.
• Noun: Stimulant, upper.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Hypnotic state: The trance-like condition of hypnosis.
• Hypnotic suggestion: An idea or command given to a person during hypnosis.
• Hypnotic trance: Another term for the hypnotic state.
• Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics: A modern class of sleep medications.

Adjective

1. attracting and holding interest as if by a spell
   • read the bedtime story in a hypnotic voice
   • she had a warm mesmeric charm
   • the sheer force of his presence was mesmerizing
   • a spellbinding description of life in ancient Rome
2. of or relating to hypnosis

Noun

1. a drug that induces sleep