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
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
But the problem with utilitarianism is that just as the subjective, first-person experiences of sensory perceptions cannot be compared among individuals, neither can pleasures and pains.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
One of the pleasures of TV this spring has been the reminder of how spectacular Michelle Pfeiffer can be when well-utilized — and getting to witness different sides of her talent simultaneously.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Smith well knows that Wilson also was probing the pleasures of Black male camaraderie throughout the 20th century, which no writer ever explored more fully nor understood better.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
How can a novelist address our current moment without sacrificing the pleasures of fiction?
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Most Berliners — and even Buruma's own father — did their jobs, took their pleasures and preferred not to think about the evils under their noses.
—John Powers, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
The obvious pleasures of Villa Centinale meant that the couple had to move quickly—and somewhat blindly.
—Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There’s a hint of sweet familiarity, but pleasures are all gone.
—Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
The fact that the work continues to surprise and challenge Solomon seems to be one of its greatest pleasures.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
But the problem with utilitarianism is that just as the subjective, first-person experiences of sensory perceptions cannot be compared among individuals, neither can pleasures and pains.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
One of the pleasures of TV this spring has been the reminder of how spectacular Michelle Pfeiffer can be when well-utilized — and getting to witness different sides of her talent simultaneously.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Smith well knows that Wilson also was probing the pleasures of Black male camaraderie throughout the 20th century, which no writer ever explored more fully nor understood better.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
How can a novelist address our current moment without sacrificing the pleasures of fiction?
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Most Berliners — and even Buruma's own father — did their jobs, took their pleasures and preferred not to think about the evils under their noses.
—John Powers, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
The obvious pleasures of Villa Centinale meant that the couple had to move quickly—and somewhat blindly.
—Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There’s a hint of sweet familiarity, but pleasures are all gone.
—Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 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
-
Lane was gifted with that kind of face and personality, too, replete with diagonal eyebrows that join his cheekbones in a quizzical demeanor that, throughout his career, has signaled the joys of life.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
What have been some of the joys of getting to know these astronauts who are the farthest anyone’s ever been from Earth?—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of this play’s many delights arrives when down-market, undereducated Becky comes face-to-face with the aristocratic Susan, their similarities soon as peculiar and glaring as their differences.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Whether biennials or museum shows, exhibitions are spaces for learning about images, the world, and the pains and delights of being alive.—
Raphael Fonseca,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This savory and sweet jam is easy to make and pleases a crowd.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
-
There’s almost never a solution that pleases everyone.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 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
-
Two decades on, Christopher Nolan's cinematic magic trick still satisfies.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
-
For those partial to a glaze, a drizzle of maple syrup at the end satisfies anyone who loves a sweet finish.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Co-directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch keep things in a constant state of fabulousness, presenting entertaining design diversions, creating a bit of drama from the outside world, and introducing a few glittering special effects, too.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Home and family are your main focus; nevertheless, romance and playful diversions also appeal to you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Well, Sydney feasts a little bit at the end.—
Claire Messud,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This sense of domestic insecurity carries through the remaining two-thirds of the film, which incorporates doubles, cyborgs, and holographic recreations of the film’s female characters.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The exhibition also includes life-size recreations of areas of the ship intended to show what daily life was like on board for passengers across different classes.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasures. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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