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
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
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
-
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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In the finale, overwhelmed with guilt, Louis goes to a train station and contemplates suicide.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
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Accompanied by tender, understated guitar, Gill contemplates the sacrifices and rewards that come with a life devoted to music.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Daniel also has and continues to be involved in podcasting at the newspaper.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
5 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, Emerald has no need for men, using a sperm donor to create her perfect family of high-achieving triplets.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 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
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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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There’s a Redwall vibe to the third installment, as fan-favorite rattkin Fern gets carried away on an impromptu adventure involving a chaos-goblin who holds a bounty tempting enough for all the ne’er-do-wells to try and collect on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Ahead of the launch of season three of Alice in Borderland in September, THR spoke to Sato in Tokyo about working on the project for so many years, the global success of the show, and what the future holds.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
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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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Plus, the pad and ports are discreetly tucked into the top shelf, so the lamp retains its classic aesthetic.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Baldoni retains his right to appeal the defamation case judgment to a higher court once a decision is rendered on Lively’s right to recoup fees.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Columbia University has found itself in major First Amendment debates − on and off campus.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
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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 8 Nov. 2025.
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