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
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 media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
The question is whether that hardware expands or merely entertains.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
By night, Criel entertains guests for intimate dinners — and the occasional artistic performance.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
No memoir entertains like Hollywood, which is why readers should read Zwick’s, and many more.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As a riff on the British whodunit, Columbus’ film is simply a cozy, and perhaps an all too simple, affair — nothing more than a jigsaw puzzle that neither challenges nor frustrates, but only passively entertains.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Evan Moore
november 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
The media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
The question is whether that hardware expands or merely entertains.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
By night, Criel entertains guests for intimate dinners — and the occasional artistic performance.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
No memoir entertains like Hollywood, which is why readers should read Zwick’s, and many more.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As a riff on the British whodunit, Columbus’ film is simply a cozy, and perhaps an all too simple, affair — nothing more than a jigsaw puzzle that neither challenges nor frustrates, but only passively entertains.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertains
Verb
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Zoë has been Artemis' right-hand warrior for more than 2,000 years, giving her a more serious nature that amuses modern demigods.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
21 Aug. 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
-
In the finale, overwhelmed with guilt, Louis goes to a train station and contemplates suicide.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Technology is an ever-present disruptor that has a way of commoditizing what once felt unique, driving a kind of Moore’s law-like acceleration into every corner of our daily workflows.—
Phil Gilbert,
Fortune,
12 Nov. 2025
-
According to the explanation on the museum’s website, the use of poppies has its origins in a poem that was penned by a Canadian physician who had served as a field surgeon in Belgium during the Great War.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Wyn Baptiste An acclaimed photographer of street protests ponders the effectiveness of his work, even as his images provoke palpable international reactions.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Still, no one is ever confirmed as being in the tomb, and Debbie even ponders whether or not Danny is really dead.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One cheerfully holds a toothbrush, her hair wrapped in a matching second towel (for me, a universal symbol of maturity and womanhood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mayer resurfaces throughout Lasky’s Memory—regarding her photographs or poems or a pithy quotation—while Lasky considers the memories of her own life.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The organization keeps the food banks in a rotation so distributions go out evenly, although the nonprofit also considers which pantries are most in need.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Free Press retains editorial control of this work.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.—
Rowan Briggs,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Columbia University has found itself in major First Amendment debates − on and off campus.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And now, many financial advisors are watching as Congress debates Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies amid the government shutdown.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entertains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertains. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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