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

The fieldhouse would also have a concession stand, meeting space for 250 people and office space for the building’s operations team and for parks and recreation administrative staff. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026

Detroit library branches and recreation centers can also serve as temporary respite spots, too, during regular operating hours. —Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Noun

His split noggin bobs in a direct re-creation of the way the show once depicted Hussein, underlining a link between the two figures. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025