entertaining 1 of 2

adjective

ˌen-tər-ˈtā-niŋ How to pronounce entertaining (audio)
Definition of entertainingnext
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

entertaining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of entertain
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
Adjective
An on-screen message told commentators and viewers this would be the case, but it was displayed in error, and what had been an entertaining race ended as something of a damp squib. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 If the art is bold, inspirational or entertaining, place it where it can be viewed easily. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Verb
And frankly, returning viewers as well, since the Enola Holmes films, while entertaining enough, don’t exactly linger in the memory. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 Set in the eponymous Texas metropolis, Dallas followed the Ewings, a powerful family of oil tycoons and ranch owners whose feuds and foibles made for wildly entertaining primetime viewing. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for entertaining
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertaining
  1. amusing
  2. regaling
  3. considering
  4. having
  5. fun
  6. debating
  7. holding
  8. enjoyable
Adjective
  • Also, the booing of every single hydration break has been surprisingly amusing every single time.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Joel David Smallbone is briefly amusing as a cranky aristocrat and the rest of the cast does what they are expected to do.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 July 2026
Definition of amusing
Verb
  • One morning earlier this week, Thomas Lupo, the president and CEO of the American Wood Column Corporation, was in his office regaling two young entrepreneurs with tales of his 110-year-old family business.
    — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 June 2026
  • His mind was as sharp as a tack, again regaling us with amazing hockey stories.
    — Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Definition of regaling
Verb
  • Along with zoning rules, the city is considering changes to regulations governing water use, noise, and economic development agreements.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
  • As countries continue investing in medical infrastructure, aesthetic innovation and services for international patients, travelers have more options than ever before when considering where to seek aesthetic care.
    — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of considering
Verb
  • Data center developments have stoked anger across the state in recent years as residents worry about resource consumption as well as noise and others issues related to having large-scale tech facilities near residential areas.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
  • The goal is to make your lineup unique, so try (in GPP) to stay away from having all the players that the field values (this is the strategy for cash).
    — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of having
Adjective
  • But there are still some fun callbacks here, like the recipe for Sam’s turmeric tea.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Sports are fun because the better physical beings don’t always win.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of fun
Verb
  • The past month showed an industry racing to build for that projection while still debating its most basic assumptions.
    — Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Unlike basketball or baseball, pro football is far from the point where regular-season contests become meaningless, but that hasn’t stopped its fans from debating whether the NFL is sapping some of the magic that comes from football’s scarcity.
    — Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of debating
Verb
  • Its lawns, mature trees and lake-facing vistas feel deliberately composed, holding attention on the landscape before releasing it outward to the water.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The farm is also holding a Fairy Festival on July 18 and 19 featuring scavenger hunts, fairy stories and other activities in addition to the usual hayrides, petting farm and pony rides.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026
Definition of holding
Adjective
  • Unlike isolated gym exercises, soccer naturally integrates these elements in a dynamic and enjoyable environment.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
  • Starting fit significantly reduces injury risk and makes the whole trip more enjoyable.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
Definition of enjoyable

Browse Nearby Words

entertainers
entertaining
entertainment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entertaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertaining. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on entertaining

Nglish: Translation of entertaining for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All