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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in entertainment
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment
bowling is great recreation on a rainy afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
as in restoration
Related Words
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 recreation
Zuri Primos
june 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Seaside Serenity Acqualina has three oceanfront pools—a beach club pool, a recreation pool, and an adults-only tranquility pool—and each has private cabanas for rental.
—Katie Riley, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Their gauzy re-creation of lower Manhattan in the 1990s — with the piles of trash that actually lined the streets at the time carefully removed — is dreamy and likely to stir nostalgic thoughts about Sex and the City, Felicity, and even Eyes Wide Shut.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recreation
Noun
In exchange, a portion of the money collected through the leagues goes to the recreation and athletic programs of Soccer KC’s partner schools.
—Zuri Primos
june 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Seaside Serenity Acqualina has three oceanfront pools—a beach club pool, a recreation pool, and an adults-only tranquility pool—and each has private cabanas for rental.
—Katie Riley, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Noun
But many come to see a show at the Blackfriars Playhouse, a re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Their gauzy re-creation of lower Manhattan in the 1990s — with the piles of trash that actually lined the streets at the time carefully removed — is dreamy and likely to stir nostalgic thoughts about Sex and the City, Felicity, and even Eyes Wide Shut.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recreation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recreation
Noun
-
The devices detected increases in brain waves linked to relaxation and focus – theta, theta-alpha, alpha and beta-1 brain waves – while measuring decreases in delta and gamma-1 brain waves, which suggest less drowsiness and less mind-wandering.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
Guests can look forward to an all-day dining restaurant, a bar and lounge, and a stunning rooftop pool and bar designed for ultimate relaxation.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Tadka, the microdrama platform within leading Indian streamer JioHotstar, has crossed 100 million users, establishing premium short-form content as a mainstream entertainment category in India.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
This week, industry executives told me that generative AI adoption is accelerating as producers seek to meet rising content demand in the country’s $32 billion media and entertainment sector while navigating tighter budgets.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
From across the street, Leonor watched with amusement.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Eyghon is a demon the quartet had conjured for amusement in their youth.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
All of the ducks don festive attire during holidays and big New England sports events.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
The United States is hosting the World Cup for the first time in more than 30 years, and organizations and businesses in Metro Detroit are making sure sports fans have a place to watch the competition.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The $2 million cleanup cost also includes landscape restoration and repair work on Grand View Road, or Idaho 167, which reopened Thursday after a nearly monthlong closure following the crash and a wildfire sparked by the incident.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
-
That indoor pool remained until 1970, when it was covered over and became the White House Press Room — although Nixon, the president at the time, gave orders that it not be harmed in the event a restoration was sought later, according to the historical association.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Not a hushed and reverent scene at all, lively and fun.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
Local groups Sin Tope and Making Movies performed on the festival’s main stage, giving fans a chance to decompress and have some fun, rather than stressing about their favorite team.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The letter highlights critical questions regarding standards of care, medical evacuation capabilities, responder recruitment and retention, patient rights, and the potential diversion of resources from controlling outbreaks at their source.—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
5 June 2026
-
Last summer, he was entered a pretrial diversion program that required him to surrender his law enforcement certification and complete 50 hours of community service.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
His pursuit of those goals continues this summer, when Mora can become only the eighth 17-year-old to play in the World Cup, and the youngest ever for Mexico.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The combination of vivid landscapes, attractions and activities, and cultural pursuits makes Samaná a unique destination that continues to gain ground on the world tourism map.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recreation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recreation. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
