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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of entertain
On nights when Nova’s feeling sleepy, Poppy happily entertains herself with her mountain of toys — or by spinning in happy circles to reclaim that elusive tail.
—
Evan Moore
november 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
The teaser begins by regaling the audience with all the ways the original Pump Rulers entertained us through the years.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Thought to be named after Japan’s Mount Fuji by genre pioneer Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in the 1960s, fújì took cues from the wéré music played during Ramadan to wake and entertain Muslims for the Sahur meal before dawn.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
These are heavy topics in a time when people just want to watch the show and be entertained.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entertain
Evan Moore
november 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
The teaser begins by regaling the audience with all the ways the original Pump Rulers entertained us through the years.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Thought to be named after Japan’s Mount Fuji by genre pioneer Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in the 1960s, fújì took cues from the wéré music played during Ramadan to wake and entertain Muslims for the Sahur meal before dawn.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
These are heavy topics in a time when people just want to watch the show and be entertained.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertain
Verb
-
The Special Olympics are not amused after Kid Rock used an ableist slur while making a joke in a recent Fox News interview.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The footage left internet viewers both amused and confused.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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People play backgammon and dance around a campfire next to a Music Trunk with a record turntable, while a couple contemplates a frozen lake.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Council members also are contemplating charging more for on-street outdoor dining.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The company has pilot programs in Singapore, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Ovechkin now has eight points on the year despite the Capitals’ disappointing start to the 2025-2026 campaign.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The teaser begins by regaling the audience with all the ways the original Pump Rulers entertained us through the years.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
-
His father, a veteran of World War II, was a burial vault salesman and would often take Fitzpatrick with him on business trips, regaling him with tales of the city.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the moment is fleeting, as the orchestra strikes back up, the sharp edge is dulled, the curtain falls, and audiences are left to ponder how a show so big could also say so little.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In this bleak economic environment, professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of AI are likely pondering what their next career move should be; whether to transition into a new industry or profession, or how to beef up their arsenal of skills.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While the Danish pharma giant holds the patents to these GLP-1s for the time being, some are due to expire as early as next year.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In November 2026, 33 seats will be contested, 20 of which are currently held by Republicans and 13 by Democrats.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
El Camello has fallen silent, considering what to say next.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The indictment specifically alleges Alcalá, was tasked with coordinating drug-trafficking activities with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Marxist guerrilla group, considered by Washington to be a terrorist organization that has for decades funded itself via the drug trade.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ticket marketplaces that offer more functionality beyond a simple database of listings are more likely to retain customer loyalty.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Most PHEVs still perform well over time Despite the variations between brands, the study concluded that most PHEV batteries retain more than 80 percent of their original capacity after 120,000 miles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertain. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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