amused 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of amusednext
as in smiling

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amused

2 of 2

verb

past tense of amuse
as in entertained
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of amused
Adjective
Jay practically embarrassed Mase, then a pop rapper at Bad Boy Records, not by screaming but by sounding amused. — Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2026 Being engaged and amused, in fact, is one crucial definition of entertainment. — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
Humorous art that makes light of what goes on in the bathroom can have a playful effect and keep your guests amused, too. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 But Nicky stays and watches, amused as Lestat declares his new outlook on life. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for amused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amused
  1. smiling
  2. entertained
  3. gleeful
  4. regaled
  5. jovial
  6. distracted
  7. mirthful
  8. merry
Adjective
  • Women in black hijabs and abayas, many wearing badges depicting Zahra’s smiling face, lined the streets as men prayed over her casket, placed outside the Husseiniya, a Shiite hall.
    — Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
  • As Thomas’ parents, Katina Smith and Bobby Thomas, unveiled their son’s smiling statue in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame Plaza last Sunday, as scores of his former teammates looked on in sadness and joy, Miller was 800 miles away in Dallas, gearing up for a game against the Cowboys.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of smiling
Verb
  • In Homer’s Odyssey, xenia was upheld by the king of the Phaeacians, Alcinous, who entertained the shipwrecked Odysseus and provided him with comforts as well as a ship in which to sail home to Ithaca.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
  • These clips will keep kids entertained and maybe even teach them something.
    — Anna Halkidis, Parents, 17 July 2026
Definition of entertained
Adjective
  • As the gleeful mayhem of Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the men’s World Cup final settled around MetLife Stadium, three-time Ballon d’Or winner and reigning women’s World Cup champion Aitana Bonmatí approached Spain captain Rodri.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Still, the gleeful absurdity of that concept came with its own humanity.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of gleeful
Verb
  • Joe, a Geordie exiled to Yorkshire in search of work, regaled his son with stories of Jackie Milburn and the three FA Cup triumphs of the 1950s.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Our lively tour guide regaled us with stories of the residents who inhabited those streets, including merchant Mary King and George Rae, the plague doctor who tended to victims in 1645.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Definition of regaled
Adjective
  • Neill will be remembered as much for his work as his jovial persona.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026
  • Thankfully, Williams’ jovial remarks marked the last time anyone mentioned or even thought about 2026.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of jovial
Verb
  • He was distracted by his own grief, and so was everyone else.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • And while the fall prestige slate has not been revealed, the Academy membership has a habit of falling for a summer release in July and then being distracted by new, shiny objects in January.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of distracted
Adjective
  • Haim managed to put on a show that felt about 95% mirthful while still honoring the integrity of the new songs that dig emotionally deeper.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • There’s a mirthful sparkle to the crowd, guests and crew alike, especially apparent given our close quarters on the train.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2024
Definition of mirthful
Adjective
  • But Margaret and Alice’s quick-witted machinations provide the basis for a merry outing at the theater.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • Four hundred years later, a merry band of scientists and entrepreneurs of mind-altering intoxicants are plunging even deeper into the diabolical by mechanizing DMT’s delivery via IV syringe pumps.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 16 July 2026
Definition of merry

Browse Nearby Words

amuse-bouches
amused
amusedly
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Cite this Entry

“Amused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amused. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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