as in amusing
providing amusement or enjoyment
a list of entertaining things to do on a snow day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in regaling
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
entertain the kids while I go and prepare dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in considering
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 having
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 entertaining
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
With just a few ingredients and even fewer steps, this will make entertaining easy without the hassle of fussing over the oven all day and night.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Choose furniture that does more than one job This is where empty-nest entertaining gets interesting.
—Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for entertaining
Adjective
Going deep into a classic with a dangerous puncher like Dubois, creating chaos, and staying in the fight until very late will keep his reputation as one of the most entertaining heavyweights in the sport intact.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
With just a few ingredients and even fewer steps, this will make entertaining easy without the hassle of fussing over the oven all day and night.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Verb
There are also water features, including a small pond, and a covered pool table for entertaining.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Choose furniture that does more than one job This is where empty-nest entertaining gets interesting.
—Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for entertaining
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertaining
Adjective
-
And the observations, questions, and assertions in our articles are varying degrees of surprising, insightful, and amusing.—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Thankfully, Babitz did exactly that — no rambling thoughts, petty accusations or amusing missives left unsaid.—
Michael Schaub,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Tony drove us around one afternoon, regaling us with stories about Fogo’s history.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Robbie is at her finest when regaling Charli XCX or Jessie Ware and her mom about her clubbing days.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And half the conference isn't an exaggeration, considering Sankey's prior remarks.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
State lawmakers are considering legislation that would exempt from taxation 50% of the residential property owned by a fully disabled veteran, or 100% if their household income does not exceed $40,000.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Turner lore suggested the college student was expelled from the Ivy League school for having a female student in his dormitory room.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Jaxon’s father, Albert Juarez, acknowledged having serious health problems himself and a list of prescription painkillers.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
What feels fun may also be meaningful.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
The chest pockets also add a fun style element to a basic blouse.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The exchanges grew increasingly heated as Pratt repeatedly attacked Raman’s homelessness proposals, prompting Raman to accuse Pratt and Bass of focusing more on attacking her than debating one another.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The trial over Pitt's allegations of Jolie's breach of contract is scheduled to begin sometime in 2027, with Pitt and Jolie still debating on an exact start date.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Stay open while holding practical boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
On the other side of the building, Ford City’s lone anchor store, JCPenney, is holding its going-out-of-business sale.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Stay flexible, adjust lightly, and let what feels enjoyable lead.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
In those cases, purchasing certain flowers from seedlings or tubers might be more practical and enjoyable.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entertaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertaining. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
