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
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
-
The agreement contemplates beginning the design phase of the new stations while the arbitration is ongoing.—
Joshua Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The populist Swiss People’s Party, which has the most seats in parliament, has stirred up and fostered anti-migration sentiment over the years, notably about an influx of workers from European Union nations.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
In fact, their entire relationship has an eerie, performative aura.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump regularly regales audiences with his prowess as a dealmaker by recounting conversations he's had with Macron about trade irritants, mimicking Macron's responses in an exaggerated accent.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
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
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
-
An individual holds a handful of hail pellets in Waite Park, Minnesota, after storms rolled through on June 19, 2026.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
The Entertainment Business Center in Tokyo manages more than 100 brand-IP collaborations annually and holds investment positions in more than 60 anime titles.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Kane considers himself in the same tier as those strikers and said he couldn’t be outdone in his own opener.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
-
Graves said law enforcement considers Sanchez-Munoz armed and dangerous.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Musk retains the power to elect and remove the directors his share class appoints.—
Mary Johnstone-Louis,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
American military strikes in June 2025 reduced several Iranian nuclear facilities to rubble, but Iran still retains roughly 400 kilograms of 60%-enriched uranium.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Time,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entertains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertains. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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