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
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
If the title of this documentary isn't enough to sell you on it, the highly entertaining story therein surely will.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Seleção supporters expected the flowing, entertaining play of Pelé’s era and were subdued before Vinícius evened the score with his spectacular angled effort.
—ABC News, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for entertaining
Adjective
Abe Saperstein founded the entertaining basketball team that was originally formed with five players from Wendell Phillips High School.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
If the title of this documentary isn't enough to sell you on it, the highly entertaining story therein surely will.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Verb
The Thyses’ whimsical yard has since been reimagined for entertaining with multiple seating areas, a rebuilt pool, an outdoor kitchen, a covered retreat, a fire pit, new landscaping, stone pavers and lighting.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Seleção supporters expected the flowing, entertaining play of Pelé’s era and were subdued before Vinícius evened the score with his spectacular angled effort.
—ABC News, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for entertaining
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertaining
Adjective
-
This is amusing but understandable; in an era where commodity fetishism has turned analog, low-budget cinema into something aspirational, Jenkin has made no compromises for accessibility.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
17 June 2026
-
Regal bontebok were replaced by stout warthogs, whose amusing visages quickly filled my camera roll.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
His mind was as sharp as a tack, again regaling us with amazing hockey stories.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Telling his fellow actors about this, Powell came off a bit like a war veteran regaling his fellow servicemembers with a particularly harrowing story.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The Fort Worth City Council is considering a slate of changes to its development codes to protect residents from the negative effects of data center development while still capturing some economic benefit for the city.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
-
The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, in considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Before Mexico-South Africa kicks off here in a few minutes, FIFA is marching in all 48 flags for the countries participating in the tournament and having the flag-bearers stand in a circle at midfield.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The genre by definition requires re-enactments, and does the act of gathering a bunch actors and going to Tehran (or Morocco) give more credibility to the project than having a computer do it?—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Watching teams and players decide when to challenge and when not to has been fun, and keeping track of who’s good at it has been entertaining, as well.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Muscle loss has been another persistent concern, with researchers debating how much of the weight lost on GLP-1 drugs is fat versus lean mass.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
-
But people have been debating for years whether Spielberg really was the one calling the shots on the set.—
Chris Nashawaty,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
London's Serpentine Gallery is currently holding his first exhibition there, which was conceived in close collaboration with the artist and showcases new paintings by him.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
But through four games, with the Knicks holding a commanding 3-1 series lead, Wembanyama has done little to justify the hype.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Another beachgoer said the seaweed made spending time in the water less enjoyable than usual.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
The common thread is finding something sustainable and enjoyable enough to do regularly.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entertaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertaining. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
