1
as in joys
a source of great satisfaction
the new car is a real pleasure to drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in delights
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment
a good-humored girl who's a pleasure to be around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pleases
to give satisfaction to
a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleasures
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
During this season, Catholics participate in a Lenten sacrifice by giving up certain pleasures and abstaining from eating meat on Fridays, rooted in devotion to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of man.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
The script here is too stiffly restrained to a fault to make much of an emotional impact, even as spending time with these actors historically is never without pleasures.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
Enjoy small pleasures, and let your courage keep blooming!
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
There’s a nod to the sublime, sugary pleasures found in a piece of Bit-O-Honey.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Our higher centers in the cortex make sense of the different contexts and meanings of the pleasures, but liking has a simple, fundamental basis in the brain.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Clive Barker's adaptation of his own novella, The Hellbound Heart, introduced us to one of the scariest cinematic baddies, Pinhead, leader of a group of sadomasochistic demonic beings who are summoned by humans either accidentally or in pursuit of pleasures of their own.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
My excavations are merely a variation on these same pleasures.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
As the sensitive Pisces Moon meets romantic Venus, we may be drawn to kindness, simple pleasures, and smoothing rough edges.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
During this season, Catholics participate in a Lenten sacrifice by giving up certain pleasures and abstaining from eating meat on Fridays, rooted in devotion to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of man.
—Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
The script here is too stiffly restrained to a fault to make much of an emotional impact, even as spending time with these actors historically is never without pleasures.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
Enjoy small pleasures, and let your courage keep blooming!
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
There’s a nod to the sublime, sugary pleasures found in a piece of Bit-O-Honey.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Our higher centers in the cortex make sense of the different contexts and meanings of the pleasures, but liking has a simple, fundamental basis in the brain.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Clive Barker's adaptation of his own novella, The Hellbound Heart, introduced us to one of the scariest cinematic baddies, Pinhead, leader of a group of sadomasochistic demonic beings who are summoned by humans either accidentally or in pursuit of pleasures of their own.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
My excavations are merely a variation on these same pleasures.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
In one especially heated sequence, Catherine, overcome with lust, dashes off to the moors and pleasures herself ferociously against the rocks.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasures
Noun
-
For some, shopping during vacation is one of the small joys of travel.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
-
For instance, on the menu, is an ode to the (now closed) landmark Ann’s Snack Bar, whose plate-sized Ghetto Burger was one of the greatest joys of his childhood.—
Su-Jit Lin,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Only one other angler availed himself of the river's delights Thursday.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Their film explores the vulnerability of the trans-masculine community by delving into Bean and Rozos’ own personal experiences, intertwined with the delights, challenges, and tragedy within Brockington and Prescott’s lives.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To see so many moments where films have been getting such strong reactions from audiences and from critics really pleases me.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
His fervor for society pleases his mother Violet (Ruth Gemmell), but also frustrates her to the point of squeezing Penelope for information.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The party was a most enjoyable dance, typical of the charming informal entertainments for which the club is noted.—
From staff reports,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Television, which greeted the new year with fresh entertainments of all shapes and sizes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Redlands school officials said the suspension of privileges will remain in place until a student satisfies certain conditions, such as attending a session of Saturday school or performing four hours of community service.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Since then, the British government has worked tirelessly to carve out a deal that satisfies Mauritius without losing its defensive foothold.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Three more protesters — Isabella Terrazas, Eliana Fuchs and Zoe Edelman — were granted mental health diversions last year.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Temporary vehicle diversions may be used if safety limits are reached.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Well, Sydney feasts a little bit at the end.—
Claire Messud,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One of the most popular recreations is from Duff’s Today show performance, which creators imitate in detail, down to the shimmies of the audience.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This information can then be fed into AI models specifically programmed for each sport to produce graphic recreations of every movement.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasures. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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