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en·gage | \ in-ˈgāj 
, en-\
, en-\engaged; engaging
Definition of engage
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to offer (something, such as one's life or word) as backing to a cause or aim : to expose to risk for the attainment or support of some end
engaged his all in the king's cause
2a obsolete : to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog
b : to attract and hold by influence or power
3 : to bind (someone, such as oneself) to do something especially : to bind by a pledge to marry
4a : to provide occupation for : involve engage him in a new project
b : to arrange to obtain the use or services of : hire engage a lawyer
5a : to hold the attention of : engross her work engages her completely
b : to induce to participate
engaged the shy boy in conversation
6a : to enter into contest or battle with
engage the enemy
b : to bring together or interlock (weapons)
7 : to deal with especially at length
1a : to pledge oneself : promise
b : to make a guarantee
he engages for the honesty of his brother
2a : to begin and carry on an enterprise or activity
—used with inengaged in trade for many years
b : to do or take part in something
—used with inengage in healthy activitiesengage in bad conduct
c : to give attention to something : deal failing to engage with the problem
3 : to enter into conflict or battle
4 : to come together and interlock
the gears engaged
engagé
adjectiveen·ga·gé | \ ˌäⁿ-ˌgä-ˈzhā \
\Definition of engagé (Entry 2 of 2)
: committed to or supportive of a cause
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Synonyms for engage
Synonyms: Verb
- absorb,
- bemuse,
- busy,
- catch up,
- engross,
- enthrall
- (or enthral),
- enwrap,
- fascinate,
- grip,
- immerse,
- interest,
- intrigue,
- involve,
- occupy
Examples of engage in a Sentence
Verb
He was engaged as a tutor.
He sure can engage an audience.
The story engaged my interest.
The troops prepared to engage the enemy.
The troops prepared to engage with the enemy.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb There is not a single person outside the beltway who is engaged in this nonsense.
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Washington Post, "Trump impeachment hearing spurs shadow spin war," 13 Nov. 2019 There is not a single person outside the beltway who is engaged in this nonsense.
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William Cummings, USA TODAY, "'Snoozefest': Eric Trump tweets that hearing in impeachment inquiry is 'horribly boring'," 13 Nov. 2019 Patriot Front shares qualities both with groups engaged in real domestic terrorism and with fringe political groups.
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ProPublica, "They Are Racist; Some of Them Have Guns. Inside the White Supremacist Group Hiding in Plain Sight.," 13 Nov. 2019 Some of these records could likely shed light on the practices these pharmaceutical companies engaged in that contributed to the opioid crisis and help us better protect the public from such epidemics in the future.
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Alexander Egilman, STAT, "Confidentiality orders in drug, device lawsuits harm patients and the public," 11 Nov. 2019 Her advocacy for the late entrant into the presidential race ran in stark contrast to host Maher's skepticism, and the two engaged in a lively debate about Bloomberg's merits and shortfalls during their conversation as a result.
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Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, "Judge Judy Spars With Bill Maher Over Michael Bloomberg 2020 Run," 9 Nov. 2019 This entails figuring out how to fund better detection technologies and how to create response plans that engage state and local institutional players.
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Ana Santos Rutschman, The Conversation, "Salad bars and water systems are easy targets for bioterrorists – and America’s monitoring system is woefully inadequate," 7 Nov. 2019 The family's vehicles were sprayed with gunfire on a road near Rancho La Mora in a remote and mountainous area where the Sinaloa cartel has been engaged in a turf war with another gang.
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Adrianna Rodriguez And Kristin Lam, azcentral, "Mexico ambush: Suspect arrested in connection with 'incomprehensible' attack on family," 6 Nov. 2019 The bloodshed took place Monday in a remote, mountainous area in northern Mexico where the Sinaloa cartel has been engaged in a turf war.
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Mark Stevenson, The Denver Post, "Drug cartel gunmen kill 9 U.S. citizens in an ambush in Mexico," 5 Nov. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'engage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for engage
engage
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of engage
formal : to hire (someone) to perform a particular service : to pay for (help, services, etc.)
: to get and keep (someone's attention, interest, etc.)
: to start fighting against (an opponent)
See the full definition for engage in the English Language Learners Dictionary
engage
verben·gage | \ in-ˈgāj \
\engaged; engaging
Kids Definition of engage
1 : to catch and keep fixed (as someone's attention)
The story engaged my interest.
2 : to take part in or cause to take part in something
He engages in many school activities.
3 : to enter into contest or battle with
Soldiers engaged the enemy.
4 : to arrange for the services or use of : employ I suggest you engage a lawyer.
5 : mesh The gears engaged.
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Comments on engage
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