Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of mesmerize.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective attracting and holding interest as if by a spell

Etymologies

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Examples

Comments

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  • A word that is apparently used for reviews of Broadway musicals only.

    September 3, 2008

  • Is it an adjective? It seems more popular as an adjective in use but the dictionaries only seem to have it as a verb. I guess they are more keen on mesmeric. In England, they probably use mesmerising. :)

    May 13, 2009

  • More specifically, it's a present participle, which is why the dictionaries list it under the verb mesmerize. Today it is probably most often used as a modifier, though sentences such as "Her singing mesmerized the audience" are common enough.

    May 13, 2009

  • One of a number of evaluative words that began as verb forms (the gerund-participle or present participle) and have taken on separate life as an adjective: so also enchanting, fascinating, interesting.

    You can tell the difference between verb and adjective because some modifiers only apply to adjectives:

    This show is very/extremely mesmerizing/fascinating. (Adj)

    *The performer is very/extremely mesmerizing/fascinating the audience. (V)

    May 13, 2009

  • my last therapist was mesmerizing when she used her voice to "black mail" me into doing something that was good for my psychological growth.

    June 6, 2011