engage

1 to hold the attention of the challenging jigsaw puzzle engaged us all evening Synonyms of engage absorb, bemuse, busy, catch up, engross, enthrall (or enthral), enwrap, fascinate, grip, immerse, interest, intrigue, involve, occupy Words Related to engage allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess; hypnotize, mesmerize; distract, preoccupy; hog, monopolize Phrases catch one's eye Near Antonyms of engage bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

2 to enter into contest or conflict with the daring young captain was eager to engage the enemy Synonyms of engage battle, encounter, face, meet, take on Words Related to engage emulate, rival; contend, fight, oppose Near Antonyms of engage elude, escape, evade; retreat

3 to obligate by prior agreement we can't go to the dance because we're already engaged to attend a piano recital Synonyms of engage commit, pledge, mortgage, trothWords Related to engage affiance, betroth, plight, promise, swear, vow; contract, enlist, enroll (also enrol), sign on, sign up; overcommitNear Antonyms of engage renege

4 to provide with a paying job the wealthy couple are looking to engage a handyman to take care of the estate Synonyms of engage assume, employ, fee [chiefly Scottish], hire, lay on [chiefly British], pay, place, recruit, retain, sign (up or on), take onWords Related to engage reemploy, reengage, rehire; apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract; enlist; advance, promote, upgrade; keep (on); headhunt, scoutNear Antonyms of engage furlough, lay off, lock outAntonyms of engage ax (or axe), can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack

5 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 of engage charter, hire, lease, rentWords Related to engage sublease, sublet; check out; arrange (for), bespeak, book, contract (for), order, reserve, sign up (for)