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

Shraddha relished Kabita’s innocence and was amused by her constant, occasionally nonsensical, chatter. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Continue reading … HOT AIR – AOC tries to laugh off 'crazy' woke era as thing of the past, but conservatives aren't amused. — FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The family of Meredith Kercher — her roommate who was killed in Italy in 2007 — isn’t amused. — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

While Kahan performed, a pair of pups wearing booties and matching headphones amused folks outside the platinum lounge. — Lori Majewski, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026