Synonyms of amuse

amuse

verb

ə-ˈmyüz 

as in to entertain

to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied

the older girl amused her four-year-old sister at the family reunion by showing her off to all the relatives

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

The words divert and entertain are common synonyms of amuse. While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

When might divert be a better fit than amuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to amuse, divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

Where would entertain be a reasonable alternative to amuse?

The words entertain and amuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of amuse

And while precious few of the other bits pay off as well as that one (a killer voice assist from a certain celebrity goes a long way), its madcap absurdity proves typical of a movie that’s willing to do anything to amuse its target audience. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026

Social media reactions to the bunny range from enamored to amused to annoyed at the price tag, which runs from $112 to $140. —Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 22 Mar. 2026

Is she amused or angered or saddened by this? —Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026

Online influencers were not amused about extreme travel difficulties in the 24-hour period between March 15, 2026, and March 16, 2026, as experienced by some Spirit Airlines travelers as well as those at the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. —Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026