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
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 entertains
For Rodriguez, the property represents the realization of a childhood dream that shaped not only the architecture of the home but also how the couple entertains and lives.
—
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Moe entertains far grander dreams.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The Green Griller likely has an herb garden blooming in his yard and entertains in a rugged yet stylish manner with a variety of equipment that imparts a clean, outdoorsy flavor without leaving behind ash.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
But, of course, nobody entertains for a moment the thought that the fund could conceivably reward an actual victim of weaponization.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Elsewhere, the female duo invokes some breaking of the fourth wall for good measure, just as the film, at points, entertains conspiratorial views regarding 9/11, perhaps to dispel the idea that this work is solely an exercise in verisimilitude.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Umbrellas are dotting the viewing area as a Marine band entertains guests.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Quinn credits Neon’s interest in working with foreign directors in part to his growing up overseas, but ultimately believes in film’s ability to capture audiences with work that both entertains and communicates feelings that resonate across cultures.
—Time Contributors, Time, 28 Apr. 2026
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
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Moe entertains far grander dreams.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The Green Griller likely has an herb garden blooming in his yard and entertains in a rugged yet stylish manner with a variety of equipment that imparts a clean, outdoorsy flavor without leaving behind ash.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
But, of course, nobody entertains for a moment the thought that the fund could conceivably reward an actual victim of weaponization.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Elsewhere, the female duo invokes some breaking of the fourth wall for good measure, just as the film, at points, entertains conspiratorial views regarding 9/11, perhaps to dispel the idea that this work is solely an exercise in verisimilitude.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Umbrellas are dotting the viewing area as a Marine band entertains guests.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Quinn credits Neon’s interest in working with foreign directors in part to his growing up overseas, but ultimately believes in film’s ability to capture audiences with work that both entertains and communicates feelings that resonate across cultures.
—Time Contributors, Time, 28 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
It’s been a long time since Steven Spielberg directed a film as quintessentially Spielbergian as Disclosure Day, which contemplates how humankind might react to proof that extraterrestrial life exists.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
-
The negotiating agreement between the city and Green also contemplates a small boutique hotel, although it is not required.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Photos from the local information office in General Santos City, which has about 720,000 people, showed convenience stores and buildings crumbling in the aftermath of the quake.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
Each puzzle has exactly one solution, so watch out for words or items that seem to belong to multiple categories!—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Aboard the boat, Terry regales his passengers with tales of the river, from namesake Twain to tragic Lovers' Leap just downstream of Hannibal.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
-
Around the old-growth-fir dining table, Nansen regales us with tales of the rebuild.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 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
-
Lead drama actor holds essentially steady at 78, nearly matching last year’s 77, when 134 names crowded the ballot.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
And this wrenching essay from visual artist and poet Kennedy Amenya Gisege considers the unique spiritual toll that incarcerated parents face.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
If the referee considers that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed, the referee can initiate a five‑second visual countdown.—
Kierra Frazier,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The 700 Sky retains the same sporty spirit, of course, with a sleek, lightweight hull and a beastly powertrain ensuring exhilarating performance.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
The aircraft retains the fighting capability of the Gripen E variant and can also be used for training.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entertains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertains. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
