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
In a June 2 Instagram Reel, Joanna attempts to balance on a 2x4 wooden plank as Chip watches her with an amused expression on his face. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026 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
Verb
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 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
  • Disneyland will invite longtime fans to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane next year with a fireworks show, parade and nighttime spectacular that entertained visitors over the past two decades.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The idea is one of extension, of continuing the thread of modernity, of constantly making new again and again—maintaining continuity against so many distractions, ignoring the jewelry-rattlers who want to be entertained in the fancy theatah.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertained
Adjective
  • Mitchell’s own imitation of Spielbergian life, despite its meticulous re-creation (and gleeful destruction) of eighties suburbia, stumbles into an uncanny valley between sincerity and cynicism, between unintentional comedy and deliberate homage.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The gleeful melodies of the church choir practicing next door seeped in.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of gleeful
Verb
  • And new local knowledge will be gleaned, with which future visitors will someday be regaled.
    — Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of regaled
Adjective
  • He was known to be a jokester in the locker room, jovial but also smart enough to have played almost all five starting roles on an offensive line.
    — PJ Green August 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And yet, Simon Farnaby is perhaps most recognizable for mugging his rather expressive and jovial face, usually beneath a crop of untamed curly hair, across a series of scene-stealing comic cameos.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of jovial
Verb
  • Kiser’s husband, Brady Kiser, said he had been briefly distracted while watching Trigg while his wife was away.
    — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Debbie intervenes to defuse the tension, then gets distracted by the presence of her nemesis, Cha Cha.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 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
  • Fortune’s intrepid tech editor, Alexei Oreskovic, and his merry band of reporters will carry on in my absence.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, which marked the first holiday season for Epic Universe, merry decor was concentrated in its Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic and Celestial Park sections.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on amused

Nglish: Translation of amused for Spanish Speakers

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