mes·mer·ize ˈmezməˌrīz/ verb past tense: mesmerized; past participle: mesmerized hold the attention of (someone) to the exclusion of all else or so as to transfix them. "she was mesmerized by the blue eyes that stared so intently into her own" archaic hypnotize (someone). synonyms: enthrall, hold spellbound, entrance, dazzle, bedazzle, bewitch, charm, captivate, enchant, fascinate, transfix, grip, hypnotize "the dancers mesmerized us"