Synonyms of entertain

entertain

verb

ˌen-tər-ˈtān 

1

as in to amuse

to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied

entertain the kids while I go and prepare dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amuse
• regale
• distract
• delight
• occupy
• appease
• divert
• please
• busy
• solace
• engage
• interest
• enchant
• captivate
• engross
• involve
• disport
• console
• charm
• comfort
• fascinate
• immerse
• hypnotize
• indulge
• enthrall
• intrigue
• beguile
• bewitch
• gratify
• placate
• spoil
• pamper
• soothe
• pleasure
• mesmerize
• absorb
• humor
• oblige
• content
• pacify
• mollify
• conciliate
• coddle
• propitiate
• grip
• mollycoddle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• wear
• drain
• exhaust
• wear out
• annoy
• bother
• harass
• disturb
• aggravate
• upset
• fatigue
• tire
• exasperate
• pester
• enervate
• vex
• irk
• perturb
• bug
• jade
• pique
• fret
• harry
• grate
• chafe
• gall
• peeve
• nettle

2

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to

have you ever entertained the thought that you could be wrong?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contemplate
• ponder
• consider
• debate
• question
• study
• explore
• weigh
• eye
• analyze
• ruminate
• review
• chew on
• cogitate
• deliberate
• revolve
• meditate
• look at
• think (about or over)
• mull (over)
• wrestle (with)
• chew over
• turn
• pore (over)
• kick around
• digest
• perpend
• reminisce
• reflect (on or upon)
• muse (upon)
• beat one's brains out (about)
• believe
• reason
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• conclude
• absorb
• conceive
• speculate (about)
• dwell (on or upon)
• opine
• fixate (on or upon)
• assimilate
• second-guess
• fret (about or over)
• brood (about or over)
• obsess (about or over)
• drink (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• dismiss
• reject
• pooh-pooh

3

as in to have

to keep in one's mind or heart

I don't entertain the hope of ever getting a girl like that to go out with me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• have
• hold
• retain
• cherish
• cultivate
• keep
• harbor
• bear
• maintain
• carry
• nurse
• sustain
• nurture
• hold on to
• remember
• hang on to
• foster
• preserve
• support
• treasure
• hug
• stick (to)
• cling (to)
• cleave (to)
• fixate (on or upon)
• brood (about or over)
• obsess (about or over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• refuse
• deny
• disregard
• reject
• drop
• overlook
• neglect
• decline
• abandon
• repudiate
• scorn
• quit
• give up
• renounce
• discard
• forsake
• part (with)
• desert
• disdain
• erase
• abjure
• throw out
• expunge

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entertain different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and divert are common synonyms of entertain. While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

When is it sensible to use amuse instead of entertain?

The words amuse and entertain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

When is divert a more appropriate choice than entertain?

The meanings of divert and entertain largely overlap; however, divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of entertain

But if it’s not taken care of properly, your summer entertaining may be lacking. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

At least one report suggested that his representatives could entertain offers from other teams and possibly bring his Chiefs chapter to a close and play for another team. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Still, the world does not always accept this limitation, insisting instead that writers go before the public to aspire and entertain. —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026

Up next The Kings will entertain the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday in the fourth game of their five-game homestand. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026