as in daydreaming
the state of being lost in thought
lulled by the sound of the train, she stared out the window in a trance, oblivious to the fact that the conductor was taking tickets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trance
The floating objects, trance communications, phantom touches, miraculous healings, and poltergeist writings that followed in the five decades after Mona’s death were attributed to her and a pantheon of other notable spirits, including Black Elk.
—
Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In other words, the age-old trance of acceptance has broken, and there are suddenly too many entrepreneurs capturing disaffected audiences by accusing legacy institutions of corruption and cowardice.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Rather than depicting trance as exotic or mysterious, Bhanuteja wanted to explore it as an everyday communal experience.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Until that point, many of Max’s scenes outside of Vecna’s prison had been in a state of unconsciousness; back in Hawkins, she’s been stuck in a two-year trance.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trance
Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In other words, the age-old trance of acceptance has broken, and there are suddenly too many entrepreneurs capturing disaffected audiences by accusing legacy institutions of corruption and cowardice.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Rather than depicting trance as exotic or mysterious, Bhanuteja wanted to explore it as an everyday communal experience.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Until that point, many of Max’s scenes outside of Vecna’s prison had been in a state of unconsciousness; back in Hawkins, she’s been stuck in a two-year trance.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trance
Noun
-
In the album’s most beautiful moments, Triplin makes arpeggios sound like prancing through an earthly paradise and sands off juke’s rough edges to produce rhythms that seem to chug along in the margins of a daydreaming brain.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
5 Mar. 2026
-
These cuts enable us to spend more time daydreaming and less time in the salon.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Here, though, lovely poetic imagery is scrambled with old and alternate timelines, sending the reverie in unanticipated and often comic directions.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The fireplace, stone walls, and ambient lighting, paired with hand-cut steaks, homemade desserts, and Virginia wine pairings, lull diners into a pleasant reverie.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trance. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
