1
as in amuses
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
entertain the kids while I go and prepare dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contemplates
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 has
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
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Recent Examples of entertains
Activities To understand how MharoKhet connects the farm to the plate, sign up for the daily, complimentary farm walk that both educates and entertains.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
With delicate humor and heartfelt moments, this bittersweet class-comedy entertains while provoking thought about our ability to live together and create meaningful connections.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Take the quiz here … EGG DROP — Chef entertains food festival crowd with unexpected crack.
—FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
According to Fora advisor Amna Ismail, the museum entertains guests of all ages with its collection of over 33 million specimens and artifacts.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
The Oscar-winning actress also sings, writes, entertains fans with her viral cooking videos, and helms the lifestyle empire Goop — valued at around $250 million.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
For the family that entertains often, the kitchen was designed to be fully functional without sacrificing atmosphere.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Tellingly, when thinking about Erika on his own, Elliot entertains more traditional desires, like getting married and starting a family.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
With delicate humor and heartfelt moments, this bittersweet class-comedy entertains while provoking thought about our ability to live together and create meaningful connections.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Take the quiz here … EGG DROP — Chef entertains food festival crowd with unexpected crack.
—FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
According to Fora advisor Amna Ismail, the museum entertains guests of all ages with its collection of over 33 million specimens and artifacts.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
The Oscar-winning actress also sings, writes, entertains fans with her viral cooking videos, and helms the lifestyle empire Goop — valued at around $250 million.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
For the family that entertains often, the kitchen was designed to be fully functional without sacrificing atmosphere.
—Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Tellingly, when thinking about Erika on his own, Elliot entertains more traditional desires, like getting married and starting a family.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertains
Verb
-
And Griffin Hanson amuses in several small roles.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The thing that amuses me the most?—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For one, state law contemplates the state of Wisconsin—and not private residents—as being able to lawfully operate a lottery in Wisconsin.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Jessie Buckley stars as the Young Woman — her name and occupation changing frequently — who contemplates ending her seven-week relationship during a Thanksgiving trip to meet her boyfriend Jake's (Jesse Plemons) parents at their farmhouse.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Margaux has a toggle closure, while Quince’s bag seals with a zipper, which provides extra security.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama has a shot at doing the same.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Around the old-growth-fir dining table, Nansen regales us with tales of the rebuild.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In the indie film, Hawke transforms himself into the diminutive composer, who regales attendees at Sardi’s bar with anecdotes about his career highs in the theater and bemoans the loss of his former partnership with Richard Rodgers.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As coach John Hynes ponders his Game 1 starter, the recent numbers will show that Wallstedt has allowed a total of four goals in his final two regular-season starts, while veteran Filip Gustavsson has been touched for 10 in the same span.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
-
While Heinrich ponders the misfiring neurons in the brain of a mass shooter, Jack’s pursuit of Mink—a character whose skin color and ambiguous ethnicity Jack remarks on repeatedly—leads him directly into the urban teeth of the War on Drugs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the most rewarding aspect of Apex, which was directed by Baltasar Kormákur and written by Jeremy Robbins, is the degree to which Ben’s thesis holds true for Sasha as well.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Rudin holds degrees in English and American literature from Princeton University and Columbia University.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The authors looked at all sizes of flooding and examined separately what FEMA considers the most extreme, which are the top 1% of events.—
Seth Borenstein,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
New work by Scerri and her colleagues considers an additional force that may have had a lasting influence — disease.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the United States retains extraordinary capabilities, the number of those weapons available and the ability to replace them are more limited.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
According to Israeli security officials, intelligence assessments suggest Iran still retains a ballistic missile arsenal in the thousands.—
Ian Pannell,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entertains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertains. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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