pleasure 1 of 2

noun

ˈple-zhər How to pronounce pleasure (audio)
Definition of pleasurenext
1
as in enjoyment
the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met nothing gives me more pleasure than a hot meal after a long day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joy
a source of great satisfaction the new car is a real pleasure to drive

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in delight
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment a good-humored girl who's a pleasure to be around

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pleasure

2 of 2

verb

as in to delight
to give satisfaction to a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate

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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 pleasure
Noun
Solms also makes a credible claim that Freud was right in speaking about a subconscious drive to seek pleasure. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026 Only 38% read a novel or short story, while reading for pleasure has dropped dramatically. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
The suspect was also seen exposing and pleasuring himself in a nearby parking lot, according to BSO. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026 Sophie has spent so long this season being a role of service, and for Benedict to now be washing her hair and then pleasuring her felt like a really nice switcheroo that Sophie deeply deserved. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pleasure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasure
  1. enjoyment
  2. joy
  3. delight
  4. please
  5. contentment
  6. entertainment
  7. satisfy
  8. satisfaction
Noun
  • The survey revealed that when parents evaluate family-friendly retail and experiences, fun and enjoyment (68 percent) and spending time together (66 percent) ranked higher than price and affordability (60 percent).
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Audiences will likely get more out of it if they’re caught up on the entire franchise, but that is not required for enjoyment and understanding.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • For many, Menorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is synonymous with summer which makes Son Ermità like the thrill of the first dip in the sea in the morning or the joy of the last swim at dusk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Offer one useful idea, keep the plan simple, and save space for joy too.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • But that misses the delight Arzner took in her stars and in the backlot drama of the studios.
    — Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Here again, in this slim book, the narrative unfolds in fragments, every sentence drawing you deeper into the delights of language.
    — Amitava Kumar, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of delight
Verb
  • For families Apart from the family-sized villa estates and kid-friendly menus, Nihi has a host of activities that will please even the youngest beach bums.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Nostalgic without being at all reactionary, Mitchell’s riotously crowd-pleasing blockbuster takes both of Greg and Denise’s conflicting wishes to heart.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of please
Noun
  • His contentment is rocked by his mother’s absence — her yearning for something better.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The poetry of this movie, in short, is in Dafoe, who gives his finest performance in years—a long trek from bliss to despair to disillusionment, and finally to the odd contentment and consolation that disillusionment often brings.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentment
Noun
  • Except that’s how the entertainment business works these days, and those deals did pay them millions (the Netflix production deal was reported to be in the $100-million range).
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • There is a popular misconception that home entertainment has steadily diminished theatrical exhibition.
    — Cory Jacobson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Verb
  • Spurred by tech giants’ insatiable appetite for computing power to dominate frontier models, the unprecedented global expansion of AI infrastructure has created demand so enormous that no single country can satisfy it.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The bottom line Creditors may ultimately be paid from the value of a deceased person's home in certain circumstances, and an estate may need to sell the property if there aren't enough other assets to satisfy valid claims.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfy
Noun
  • Even so, the Pilot continues to stand out for its combination of refinement, functionality and long-term ownership satisfaction.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • However, Collingwood points out that the skin also provides flavor and satisfaction.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfaction

Browse Nearby Words

pleasurably
pleasure
pleasured
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Cite this Entry

“Pleasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasure. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pleasure

Nglish: Translation of pleasure for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pleasure

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