Synonyms of recreation

recreation 1 of 2

noun (1)

ˌre-krē-ˈā-shən 

1

as in relaxation

activity engaged in to amuse oneself

decided to take a bike tour of the island for recreation and relaxation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relaxation
• fun
• entertainment
• amusement
• enjoyment
• sport
• play
• pleasure
• rollicking
• dalliance
• frolic
• frolicking
• fun and games
• diversion
• hobby
• playfulness
• pastime
• delight
• romping
• mischief
• merrymaking
• hobbyhorse
• revel
• devilment
• kick
• gamboling
• revelry
• lark
• pleasance
• merriment
• hilarity
• rascality
• spree
• horseplay
• tomfoolery
• wantonness
• hob
• buffoonery
• jinks
• sportiveness
• devilry
• high jinks
• binge
• mischievousness
• fling
• knavery
• roguishness
• friskiness
• hanky-panky
• rollick
• whoopee
• impishness
• waggery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• work
• labor
• drudgery
• duty
• responsibility
• obligation

2

as in entertainment

someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment

bowling is great recreation on a rainy afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• entertainment
• diversion
• fun
• delight
• pleasure
• activity
• picnic
• divertissement
• distraction
• pastime
• escape
• festivity
• lark
• game
• romp
• revel
• merrymaking
• spree
• rollicking
• frolic
• revelry
• hilarity
• carousing
• jollity
• riot
• conviviality
• binge
• fling
• frolicking
• gaiety
• gambol
• jollification
• time killer
• scream
• rollick
• laugh
• reveling
• whoopee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• drag
• downer
• bummer
• party pooper
• killjoy

3

as in amusement

the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public

water parks have become a significant part of the recreation business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• entertainment
• amusement
• diversion
• enjoyment
• production
• performance
• distraction
• show
• presentation
• relaxation
• exhibition
• joy
• gratification
• nightlife
• mirth
• presentment
• relief
• spectacle
• satisfaction
• show business
• delight
• escapism
• delectation

4

as in sport

an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure

as with other men of his class and income, his principal recreations were polo and yachting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sport
• pursuit
• hobby
• entertainment
• amusement
• avocation
• relaxation
• pastime
• diversion
• hobbyhorse
• distraction

re-creation

2 of 2

noun (2)

as in restoration

Related Words

• restoration
• rehabilitation
• reclamation
• reconstruction
• remodeling
• refurbishment
• renovation
• rehab
• facelift
• recovery
• revival
• recuperation
• repairing
• fixing
• resurrection
• regeneration
• rebirth
• revitalization
• regeneracy
• rejuvenation
• restoral
• resuscitation
• renewal
• resurgence
• renaissance
• reinvention
• revivification
• mending
• renascence
• reanimation
• rally
• rejuvenescence
• reactivation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of recreation

Noun

Brophy, a mother of two and an Oceanside emergency room nurse, has been missing since July 6, and her vehicle was discovered in a parking lot within the recreation area. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Daly City could potentially slash 50 city positions and reduce hours at recreation and senior facilities. — Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

Noun

The park, for instance, has built a 30-foot-long re-creation of SoFi Stadium, and elsewhere has created brick versions of a host of soccer stars. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

In Disclosure Day, this manifests itself in a third act that at times feels like a cinematic therapy session, as the characters all converge toward the physical re-creation of a past Daniel and Margaret have forgotten. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 June 2026