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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
Greenbush, the tour guide, was amused by his neoclassically bare chest. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026 Luk, an only child who grew up surrounded by cousins, was amused by the way relatives can inhabit incompatible versions of the same history. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 15 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
  • Yes; families are clearly the property's sweet spot, thanks to extensive kids programming, multiple pools, and a schedule of activities that keeps younger travelers entertained from morning until night.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Borden entertained O’Neil and other actors at her Maplecroft mansion in Fall River.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of entertained
Adjective
  • Instead, the discourse centers about concerns about misogyny in the football program and the racial makeup of the student body – something no one would have predicted in those gleeful moments late Saturday night.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of gleeful
Verb
  • Woods, in response, regaled a tongue-in-cheek story about pitching movie ideas to Ruffalo.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026
  • And new local knowledge will be gleaned, with which future visitors will someday be regaled.
    — Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026
Definition of regaled
Adjective
  • And Loving has a knack for flipping a switch on the field, transforming quickly from the eager, jovial rookie in the locker room into a powerful and violent man once the ball is snapped.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The couple is jovial and tender, independent and connected, and Wendy and the children have developed a warm bond.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of jovial
Verb
  • To spend two and a half minutes studying that goal so forensically, and then seemingly lose sight of how Fernandez, from an offside position, distracted Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens, is the worst of both worlds.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The pain distracted Garrett while facing a 49ers lineup that included three-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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
  • The hotel itself is staffed by a small but merry cadre of Lost Boys whose endearing mix of irreverence and can-doism gives the hotel its cool, devil-may-care personality.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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 20 Sep. 2026.

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