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
He was amused by the national attention and the assumption that Iran was behind the cyberattack. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Shraddha relished Kabita’s innocence and was amused by her constant, occasionally nonsensical, chatter. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 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
  • And those just interested in being entertained will have plenty of music to enjoy throughout the weekend.
    — Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Adults can share the duties of handing out snacks and keeping kids entertained.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertained
Adjective
  • The bikes were a smart and gleeful way to make the most of our limited time in South Lake Tahoe.
    — Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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
  • These people are obviously crazy relaxing and being jovial like this.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of jovial
Verb
  • You’re not distracted by the clients waiting behind you or the sense that someone is watching and waiting for your chair to open up.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If it is blocked, both studios could emerge from the litigation having spent a year distracted and constrained while the rest of the industry moved forward.
    — Cory Jacobson, HollywoodReporter, 21 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
  • Rounding up his merry men of Sherwood Forest, and his Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland), Robin goes about resisting John’s rule and securing Richard’s throne.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of merry

Browse Nearby Words

amuse-bouches
amused
amusedly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amused. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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