1
: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific
2
: one that is or can be hypnotized
Examples of hypnotic in a Sentence
Adjective
The psychologist put her into a hypnotic state.
Riding in a car often has a hypnotic effect on babies.
the steady, hypnotic rhythm of the train
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Tinker, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
An unusual — and hypnotic — event is taking place at a lake in Northern California.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
Certain classes of drugs, including certain antipsychotics, hypnotics, antidepressants, and anticholinergic medications, can trigger sundowning.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hypnotic
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Adjective
Saltz: Lorazepam is in the class of medications called benzodiazepines, which is a depressant, and also sometimes referred to as a sedative hypnotic medication.
—Ben Tinker, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
An unusual — and hypnotic — event is taking place at a lake in Northern California.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
An example of over-the-counter drugs are anti-histamines that can help with insomnia, while some prescription drugs doctors may use are different types of sedatives and hypnotics.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
Certain classes of drugs, including certain antipsychotics, hypnotics, antidepressants, and anticholinergic medications, can trigger sundowning.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hypnotic
Cite this Entry
“Hypnotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypnotic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hypnotic
1 of 2 adjective
hyp·not·ic
hip-ˈnät-ik 
1
: tending to cause sleep
2
: of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism
hypnotic
2 of 2 noun
: an agent (as a drug) that causes or tends to cause sleep
Medical Definition
hypnotic
1 of 2 adjective
hyp·not·ic
hip-ˈnät-ik
hypnotic
2 of 2 noun1
: a sleep-inducing agent : soporific
2
: one that is or can be hypnotized
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