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
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
Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag entertains your restaurant questions, rants and raves.
—Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026
At his core, not much has changed for Heagerty, who now entertains people through his stand-up comedy, online comedy videos and work as an actor.
—Colleen Bidwill, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
The episode delivers the cozy, inviting format fans love, giving viewers a closer look at how the Duchess of Sussex gets creative for the holidays, entertains, and cooks (not to mention what's in her winter wardrobe).
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
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
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
Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag entertains your restaurant questions, rants and raves.
—Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026
At his core, not much has changed for Heagerty, who now entertains people through his stand-up comedy, online comedy videos and work as an actor.
—Colleen Bidwill, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
The episode delivers the cozy, inviting format fans love, giving viewers a closer look at how the Duchess of Sussex gets creative for the holidays, entertains, and cooks (not to mention what's in her winter wardrobe).
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertains
Verb
-
In December, the two sat down in Exactly Right’s Burbank headquarters — a setting that still amuses them both.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
Across town, Geert contemplates his situation differently.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The coaches’ employment contracts contained language that incorporates the league constitution and contemplates arbitration for disputes involving coaches and their teams.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bipartisan skepticism of corporate power comes and goes in America, but the latest wave has roots in the parallel streams flowing from the Great Financial Crisis, Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Paul has a reputation for taking collectibles to extreme levels and has spent millions to secure some of the rarest items ever produced, including NFTs - unique, verifiable digital assets traded on the blockchain.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Handsome Belgian executive Geert (Arieh Worthalter) regales an enthusiastic crowd with a yarn, while his mousy tech head Luc (Jan Hammenecker) demonstrates to what might be the world’s first speech-to-text technology.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Ninny regales Evelyn with tales of Idgi, her sister-in-law and friend who used to run the Whistle Stop Cafe, a restaurant on the outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama, that served good coffee, better barbecue, and great gossip.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Expect a meditative film that ponders big issues with a poet-like touch.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
While Raspadori ponders whether to accept Roma’s offer and leave Atletico just six months after his move to Spain from Napoli, Gasperini has to make do-and-mend.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sexy space holds just 20 seats at the bar, and definitely pop into the antique confessional in the back for a photo opp.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
A day after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he's now known, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the pride Sky Roberts holds for his sister is difficult to hide.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
English considers that mindset both a blessing and a curse, maybe even something that occasionally holds Yuran back.—
Noah Poser,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Along with its impressive shade range, MAC’s pencil has two more features Radow considers key.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the American Craft Spirits Association, American craft distilleries rose from 150 to 200 in 2010 to over 3,000 by 2023, and while that number has begun to level off over the past year, the craft whiskey industry retains its strong presence.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The potential inclusions of right-hander Alexis Díaz (a former All-Star closer who still retains minor league options) and left-hander Jacob Latz (who will compete for the fifth starter job) could erase opportunities for others.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entertains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertains. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
