mesmerize
/ˈmɛzməˌraɪz/
verb
- To capture someone's complete attention so that they cannot think of anything else.
- The speaker's powerful story mesmerized the crowd into silence.
- The magician's performance mesmerized the entire audience.
- She was mesmerized by the beautiful sunset over the ocean.
- To hypnotize someone.
- In the old movie, the villain used a swinging watch to mesmerize his victims.
- Some people claim they can mesmerize animals with a steady gaze.
- The therapist tried to mesmerize the patient to help him recall the memory.