Synonyms of entertain

entertain

verb

ˌen-tər-ˈtān 

1

as in to amuse

to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied

entertain the kids while I go and prepare dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amuse
• regale
• distract
• delight
• occupy
• appease
• divert
• please
• busy
• solace
• engage
• interest
• enchant
• captivate
• engross
• involve
• disport
• console
• charm
• comfort
• fascinate
• immerse
• hypnotize
• indulge
• enthrall
• intrigue
• beguile
• bewitch
• gratify
• placate
• spoil
• pamper
• soothe
• pleasure
• mesmerize
• absorb
• humor
• oblige
• content
• pacify
• mollify
• conciliate
• coddle
• propitiate
• grip
• mollycoddle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• wear
• drain
• exhaust
• wear out
• annoy
• bother
• harass
• disturb
• aggravate
• upset
• fatigue
• tire
• exasperate
• pester
• enervate
• vex
• irk
• perturb
• bug
• jade
• pique
• fret
• harry
• grate
• chafe
• gall
• peeve
• nettle

2

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to

have you ever entertained the thought that you could be wrong?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contemplate
• ponder
• consider
• debate
• question
• study
• explore
• weigh
• eye
• analyze
• ruminate
• review
• chew on
• cogitate
• deliberate
• revolve
• meditate
• look at
• think (about or over)
• mull (over)
• wrestle (with)
• chew over
• turn
• pore (over)
• kick around
• digest
• perpend
• reminisce
• reflect (on or upon)
• muse (upon)
• beat one's brains out (about)
• believe
• reason
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• conclude
• absorb
• conceive
• speculate (about)
• dwell (on or upon)
• opine
• fixate (on or upon)
• assimilate
• second-guess
• fret (about or over)
• brood (about or over)
• obsess (about or over)
• drink (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• dismiss
• reject
• pooh-pooh

3

as in to have

to keep in one's mind or heart

I don't entertain the hope of ever getting a girl like that to go out with me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• have
• hold
• retain
• cherish
• cultivate
• keep
• harbor
• bear
• maintain
• carry
• nurse
• sustain
• nurture
• hold on to
• remember
• hang on to
• foster
• preserve
• support
• treasure
• hug
• stick (to)
• cling (to)
• cleave (to)
• fixate (on or upon)
• brood (about or over)
• obsess (about or over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• refuse
• deny
• disregard
• reject
• drop
• overlook
• neglect
• decline
• abandon
• repudiate
• scorn
• quit
• give up
• renounce
• discard
• forsake
• part (with)
• desert
• disdain
• erase
• abjure
• throw out
• expunge

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entertain different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and divert are common synonyms of entertain. While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

When is it sensible to use amuse instead of entertain?

The words amuse and entertain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

When is divert a more appropriate choice than entertain?

The meanings of divert and entertain largely overlap; however, divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of entertain

Erika Gessin is the founder and creative director of The Fête Edit, a modern editorial entertaining brand that creates complete dinner party guides. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026

Rather than interrupting consumers with marketing messages, podcasts invite listeners into discussions that educate, entertain and build credibility over time. — Julio Cesar Gomez, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The latter come courtesy of Gravy, a puppet Dirnt used back in the day to entertain his pals on the road that inspired a cinematic counterpart. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Gen is annoyed that Joy is still entertaining Luke via texts and video chats. — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026