ENGAGES Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

engages

verb

Definition of engages next

present tense third-person singular of engage

as in occupies

to hold the attention of the challenging jigsaw puzzle engaged us all evening

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in faces

to enter into contest or conflict with the daring young captain was eager to engage the enemy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commits

to obligate by prior agreement we can't go to the dance because we're already engaged to attend a piano recital

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reneges

as in employs

to provide with a paying job the wealthy couple are looking to engage a handyman to take care of the estate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hires

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

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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 engages Across the country, educators, cultural institutions and civic organizations are proving that high-quality civic education engages young people, strengthens democratic skills and builds durable civic habits. —

Erin Carlson Mast, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026 Doing so engages the clutch and ratchet mechanisms built into the crank. —

New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026 Weight-bearing exercise—anything that requires you to support your own body weight or more—engages your skeleton and helps strengthen bone. —

Jamie Ducharme, Health, 9 Feb. 2026 Like humming, gargling engages muscles connected to the vagus nerve. —

Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026 Practicing certain breathing exercises, known as breath work, engages our psychosomatic responses by regulating oxygen flow and mental focus. —

Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026 The symbolism of foxglove (processed for use in heart medicine, yet lethal if consumed in high quantities) engages the hazardousness of digital overconnection. —

Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026 Walking on an incline, according to research, engages the lower body and may improve cardiovascular health without overstressing the joints, which is especially beneficial for older adults. —

Outside, 31 Jan. 2026 Most of the money engages the leisurely judgment of the bettors, who have all day to survey the odds or the records of the starting pitchers, or to apply their systems. —

Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for engages

Verb

The Constitution does not shift depending on who occupies the White House.

— Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Feb. 2026
By Ukrainian estimates, every square kilometer that Russia occupies costs its military more than 100 soldiers, either dead or gravely wounded, while its average monthly casualties add up to as many as 35,000 troops.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026