engage

verb

in-ˈgāj How to pronounce engage (audio)
Definition of engagenext
1
as in to interest
to hold the attention of the challenging jigsaw puzzle engaged us all evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to face
to enter into contest or conflict with the daring young captain was eager to engage the enemy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to commit
to obligate by prior agreement we can't go to the dance because we're already engaged to attend a piano recital

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to employ
to provide with a paying job the wealthy couple are looking to engage a handyman to take care of the estate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to hire
to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum my sister and her boyfriend have engaged a chauffeured limousine for the prom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 engage The trust framework — the permission that enterprises have earned to engage directly with their customers — becomes even more valuable as the stakes of that engagement increase. — Sid Banerjee, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Is he compromised after getting engaged to pop singer Madison Beer? — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The way people engage is changing, though, and that presents challenges in places across the United States. — Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026 Gracie is engaged to Derek Green, son of former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for engage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for engage
  1. interest
  2. face
  3. commit
  4. employ
  5. hire
  6. occupy
  7. meet
  8. recruit
Verb
  • Short trips and conversations with daily contacts, siblings and relatives will interest you.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But what really interested us with this movie was trying to understand the humanity and searching for and exploring the love and the loyalty to characters to have a dialogue with an audience and not do it for the sake of ego or shock.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of interest
Verb
  • Centre-backs who regularly face pressure tend to produce the highest number of clearances, blocks and interceptions.
    — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of face
Verb
  • Yet several countries within both confederations have already publicly pledged their loyalty to Infantino, while some are in no rush to commit either way.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • On foreign policy, the new president has committed to rebuilding strategic ties with the United States, restoring close cooperation with Israel and adopting a tougher stance toward the authoritarian governments of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.
    — Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of commit
Verb
  • One of its key functions has been for healing, often employing a complex knowledge of medicinal plants and in many cases providing the only medical services available within African American communities.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For startups like Code Metal—which employs 123 people—the challenge now is turning one-off opportunities, like the new $80 million Pentagon deal, into repeatable, expandable business.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of employ
Verb
  • The group hired Chrissi Rawak, the former athletics director at Delaware, as its new CEO in February 2025.
    — Matt Moret, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Bruins announced the hiring Monday of the 35-year-old Carr, who is volunteering in his first major coaching role.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of hire
Verb
  • Israeli forces currently occupy more than half of Gaza, in the east and south of the territory.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Some occupy the farmhouses on the lower slope, overlooking the cobbled courtyard and Mediterranean herb gardens, while others are slightly further up and offer panoramic views of the Panzano valley.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • Airlines around the world are currently plagued by delays in their efforts to deliver new premium offerings — including increasing passenger demand for privacy, high-tech connectivity and inflight entertainment — to meet the surge in air travel.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church members who are facing off in court over control of the College Station congregation will meet Monday to determine the process for picking who gets to preach.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of meet
Verb
  • And who knows about Newcastle, who have lost three crucial players and only really brought in promising youngsters, all of whom will be managed by someone recruited from the Saudi Pro League.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Directed by Jon Favreau, the film premiered in theaters May 22 and follows bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice, Grogu, as they’re recruited by officer Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) to aid the New Republic.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of recruit

Phrases Containing engage

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enfranchising
engage
engaged
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Cite this Entry

“Engage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engage. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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