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

The 12 villas come with a living room, a separate bedroom, and kitchen stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks from the mini bar, a pre-dinner amuse bouche from the chef each evening, and a patio with a separate entrance for staffers to set up morning breakfast without disturbing you. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026

Some leaders, producers and directors were not amused by Goldberg, saying her remarks were insulting and dismissive of a serious fight to gain diversity within the motion picture industry. —Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

The Davidson coach was not amused, though. —Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026

They were probably just amused by it, and Epstein more so. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026