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

Until recent years, the NCAA didn’t entertain a distinction because neither player would have been eligible. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Apr. 2026

Savannah, Georgia delivers the kind of charm and adventure that keeps both parents and kids entertained. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026

Rutherford entertained the crowd with nine sixes but Mumbai was never in the hunt for victory. —ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026

Between the inspiring garden shop, the farm-to-table cafe, and the six miles of hiking trails, this Somerset oasis can entertain every member of your party. —Brennan Long, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026