as in entertains
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
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Recent Examples of amuses
And Griffin Hanson amuses in several small roles.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
The thing that amuses me the most?
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
In December, the two sat down in Exactly Right’s Burbank headquarters — a setting that still amuses them both.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Zoë has been Artemis' right-hand warrior for more than 2,000 years, giving her a more serious nature that amuses modern demigods.
—EW.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
The thing that amuses me the most?
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
In December, the two sat down in Exactly Right’s Burbank headquarters — a setting that still amuses them both.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Zoë has been Artemis' right-hand warrior for more than 2,000 years, giving her a more serious nature that amuses modern demigods.
—EW.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amuses
Verb
-
The Green Griller likely has an herb garden blooming in his yard and entertains in a rugged yet stylish manner with a variety of equipment that imparts a clean, outdoorsy flavor without leaving behind ash.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
But, of course, nobody entertains for a moment the thought that the fund could conceivably reward an actual victim of weaponization.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Aboard the boat, Terry regales his passengers with tales of the river, from namesake Twain to tragic Lovers' Leap just downstream of Hannibal.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
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Around the old-growth-fir dining table, Nansen regales us with tales of the rebuild.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
-
In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns.—
Jordyn Tovey,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Amuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amuses. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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