1
as in appealing
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract
movie stars often have an engaging aura that is hard to describe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in interesting
holding the attention or provoking interest
a movie with an engaging story that will hold your interest for a couple of hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in intriguing
to hold the attention of
the challenging jigsaw puzzle engaged us all evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in facing
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 committing
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 employing
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 hiring
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
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Recent Examples of engaging
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
But Cash’s most original and engaging writing is slightly out of step with reality and bleakly funny, devoted to wordplay and willing to be foolish about it.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
And there are scientists and technical experts engaging to continue to maintain our access [to the WHO] at the individual level.
—Alice Park, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for engaging
Adjective
Ranging from 24 to 50 minutes, the 11 episodes are highly engaging and digestible.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
But Cash’s most original and engaging writing is slightly out of step with reality and bleakly funny, devoted to wordplay and willing to be foolish about it.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
By engaging early in the design process, authorities can improve regulatory readiness, encourage robust safety design, and reduce uncertainties later in licensing, while still preserving national oversight and responsibility.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
And there are scientists and technical experts engaging to continue to maintain our access [to the WHO] at the individual level.
—Alice Park, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for engaging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for engaging
Adjective
-
He’s all grown up — and with a stunning football resume of his own — but the cinematic characters of that ’80s dynasty remain no less appealing.—
Daniel Brown,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Raptors likely would try to get the Bucks to accept some combination of RJ Barrett and others, though a Barrett-centric package would be more difficult from a cap standpoint and would seemingly be less appealing to Milwaukee.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This new process, the researchers explain, could offer interesting options for keeping energy-hungry data centers cool.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The game was a blowout early but got interesting late.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His administration is facing increasing scrutiny after immigration officers killed two American citizens in Minneapolis this month.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Trump did not say when the conversation with Putin took place, but his comment comes as Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving large parts of the country facing power shortages and outages.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rybakina seemed to feel it, committing an unforced error on the first point, then missing her first serve on the second.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Faced with lingering criticism from council members, Feldstein Soto agreed to help with the cost of the Gibson Dunn contract, committing $1 million from her office’s budget.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
DigitalDefynd shared detailed observations on how the banking industry is employing AI.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The holding company operates more than 400 locations across nine states, employing more than 8,000 workers.—
Amy Wenk,
AJC.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The same dynamic is now widely observed in universities, where hiring and professional advancement practices have produced increasingly uniform ideological cultures even without explicit political litmus tests.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The Atlanta Falcons added the final piece to their new leadership team on Thursday night by hiring Ian Cunningham as general manager.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Fascist regimes are also typically organized around a charismatic leader—and form social and political cultures centered on that leader, who is taken to be the violent and powerful protector of the nation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Trump himself is an instantly more charismatic presence on screen.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Engaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engaging. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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