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
• frolicking
• dalliance
• frolic
• fun and games
• diversion
• playfulness
• hobby
• pastime
• delight
• romping
• pleasance
• mischief
• merrymaking
• hobbyhorse
• deviltry
• revel
• kick
• devilment
• revelry
• lark
• gamboling
• merriment
• hilarity
• gambolling
• rascality
• spree
• hijinks
• horseplay
• tomfoolery
• hob
• wantonness
• 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
• festivity
• escape
• lark
• game
• romp
• gayety
• revel
• merrymaking
• spree
• rollicking
• frolic
• revelry
• hilarity
• carousing
• jollity
• riot
• conviviality
• binge
• fling
• gaiety
• frolicking
• gambol
• jollification
• time killer
• scream
• revelling
• 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

Synonyms & Similar 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

Directed by Civil War helmer Alex Garland and filmmaker and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, A24’s Warfare is a hyperreal recreation of Mendoza’s experience during a mission through Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. —Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Each district has received $500,000 to renovate the parks, Charles Prewitt, parks manager, told council members during a March 20 parks, recreation and culture meeting. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

This region was chosen for its rugged beauty and commitment to sustainable outdoor recreation. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025

HMAs are designated areas where the BLM tries to manage a sustainable number of horses and burros while keeping rangelands healthy for other uses, like recreation and grazing. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2025