Definition

1. Verb:
   • To hold the complete attention of someone in a way that makes them unable to look away or think of anything else: To captivate or fascinate someone utterly, often as if by a magical or irresistible power.
   • To hypnotize: To induce a state of hypnosis in someone, making them very relaxed and more open to suggestion. (This meaning is less common in everyday modern use).

Usage

• The verb "mesmerize" is typically used with a person or thing as the subject that causes the captivating effect, and a person or audience as the object.
• It is often used in the passive voice (e.g., "be mesmerized by").
• It describes a powerful, almost involuntary, level of fascination.

Examples

• Active Voice:
  • The dancer's graceful movements mesmerized the entire audience.
  • He can mesmerize a crowd with his storytelling.
• Passive Voice:
  • I was completely mesmerized by the beauty of the northern lights.
  • The children sat mesmerized by the magician's tricks.

Advanced Usage

• "Mesmerizing" (Adjective): Having the quality of holding someone's attention completely.
  • She has a mesmerizing voice.
  • The film's visuals were absolutely mesmerizing.

Variants and Related Words

• Mesmerism (Noun): An old term for hypnosis, named after Franz Mesmer.
• Mesmerist (Noun): A person who practices mesmerism or hypnosis.
• Hypnotize (Verb): A more common synonym for inducing a trance; also used figuratively like "mesmerize."

Synonyms

• Captivate: To attract and hold the interest and attention of.
• Enthrall: To capture the fascinated attention of.
• Spellbind: To hold someone's attention completely as if by a magic spell.
• Fascinate: To attract and hold interest powerfully.

Antonyms

• Bore: To make someone feel weary and uninterested.
• Repel: To drive or force someone away; to cause aversion.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• To be mesmerized by: This is the most common construction.
  • We were all mesmerized by the sunset over the ocean.
• To mesmerize someone with something: To captivate someone using a specific thing.
  • The chef mesmerized the judges with her culinary artistry.

Verb

1. induce hypnosis in
2. attract strongly, as if with a magnet
   • She magnetized the audience with her tricks