What does mesmerize mean?
Mesmerize is a verb meaning to fascinate or enchant someone so completely that their attention is held. It often describes the effect of exceptional artistry, beauty, performance, charm, or spectacle: a singer may mesmerize an audience, while a vivid documentary may mesmerize viewers. The word conveys more than ordinary interest or approval, suggesting an almost spellbound response. Although “mesmerize” has associations with hypnotism and its historical roots in theories of animal magnetism, modern usage is usually figurative and does not necessarily imply that anyone has been hypnotized. Mesmerize is especially useful when describing an experience that commands sustained attention and seems difficult to look away from or resist.
verbTo captivate someone's attention completely, typically through beauty, skill, charm, or fascination.
- To hold someone's attention completely through fascination or enchantment.
"The young pianist mesmerized the audience with her effortless command of the instrument."
"The documentary mesmerized viewers with its vivid images and compelling narration."
"She was mesmerized by the precision of the watchmaker's movements."
Mesmerize takes its name from Franz Mesmer, whose controversial ideas about animal magnetism helped give modern hypnotism and fascination their vocabulary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How mesmerize is actually used
Predominantly figurative and sometimes literary, this word conveys intense fascination rather than literal hypnosis. It is commonly used in the passive construction with “by.”