1
as in joys
a source of great satisfaction
the new car is a real pleasure to drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleasures
Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
What if even those fleeting pleasures were to vanish for good?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
That song’s twangful snarl — wonderfully sung by Clark, a star recording artist in her own right — is a reminder that these insurgents are also preservationists, capable of delivering old-fashioned pleasures to please the purists.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
How do teachers carry on teaching, lecturing, checking homework and having students prepare for assessments, and how do students enjoy the pleasures that extracurricular activities bring?
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
This means acknowledging the pleasures of looking back in time, while remaining attentive to the ways that schools too often worsen, rather than challenge, inequalities among students.
—Michael A Messner, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
The sweet satirical soupçon, now at the Nederlander Theatre, extends Apple TV’s tribute to the optimistic pleasures of the art form to its mother source.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
In the package was a grab bag of small pleasures to ease the difficulty of a lengthy deployment – Kind bars, candy, homemade fudge, Girl Scout cookies, puzzle books, pencils, pens, decks of cards and other games.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
After a few short days, simple pleasures like a walk in the woods, a cold plunge, a good meal—and a dragonfly literally resting on my hand—were enough to send me back out into the world feeling a little more present than before.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
Purchasing a bouquet of flowers from a local shop, farmers market, or grocery store is one of life’s greatest little pleasures.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
What if even those fleeting pleasures were to vanish for good?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
That song’s twangful snarl — wonderfully sung by Clark, a star recording artist in her own right — is a reminder that these insurgents are also preservationists, capable of delivering old-fashioned pleasures to please the purists.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
How do teachers carry on teaching, lecturing, checking homework and having students prepare for assessments, and how do students enjoy the pleasures that extracurricular activities bring?
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
This means acknowledging the pleasures of looking back in time, while remaining attentive to the ways that schools too often worsen, rather than challenge, inequalities among students.
—Michael A Messner, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
The sweet satirical soupçon, now at the Nederlander Theatre, extends Apple TV’s tribute to the optimistic pleasures of the art form to its mother source.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
In the package was a grab bag of small pleasures to ease the difficulty of a lengthy deployment – Kind bars, candy, homemade fudge, Girl Scout cookies, puzzle books, pencils, pens, decks of cards and other games.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
After a few short days, simple pleasures like a walk in the woods, a cold plunge, a good meal—and a dragonfly literally resting on my hand—were enough to send me back out into the world feeling a little more present than before.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 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
-
And for that reason, hormonal contraception has in recent years been presented as a harmful disruptor of the natural joys of womanhood.—
Andréa Becker,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
Don also introduced me to the joys of hiking in Griffith Park and the Santa Monica Mountains.—
Martha L. Thompson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
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And be prepared for something that dazzles, delights and reacquaints you with Rowling’s imaginative variations on a British school experience.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
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Caramel layer cakes are known to be finicky, but these tiny delights pack all that flavor without any hassle.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For something more substantial, Ramsey’s pleases both vegetarians and meat eaters with options such as BBQ brisket sandwich with homemade onion straws or Zucchini Noodle Thai Bowl.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Planning a summer trip that pleases curious kids, energetic teens and grandparents who want a comfortable pace?—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Weisberger’s book may have been an opportunistic takedown, but the director David Frankel and the screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna spun it into one of the finer Hollywood entertainments of its era, with the pleasing sophistication and bitchery of a classic studio comedy from the forties or fifties.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The park allow visitors to experience the movie stories; the movies remind you of the park rides; the whole reminds you of beloved childhood entertainments.—
Mark Lane,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earning at least $580 per month also satisfies the requirement.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
-
Earning at least $580 a month also satisfies the requirement.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
From last year’s clubhouse diversions, the basketball hoop and the pool table remain.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Checkpoints, road closures and diversions have become routine sights, particularly around sensitive zones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Well, Sydney feasts a little bit at the end.—
Claire Messud,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since our feet support our weight, an unsupportive shoe can make or break endurance, balance, and movement on bustling travel days or during high-energy recreations.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The film originally cost $155 million, in part because of expensive music rights and extensive recreations of famous concert performances.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasures. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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