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

The city closed the recreation center in 2021, leaving the neighborhood's young people with few places to go. —Sarah Handel, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025

The 94-minute film takes place in real time and is an intense, visceral recreation of events, based on the memories of those who were there. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025

However, 80 percent of employees in a certain number of hotels, attractions, and outdoor recreation must complete the training for the city to receive the designation. —Melinda Fulmer, AFAR Media, 17 Apr. 2025

Rather than spending money on traditional remakes of the studio’s classic IP or, God forbid, taking a chance on new material, the studio wants to use Kimmy’s Re-Dream technology, which will simply slot Brandy into a digital recreation of the original Hotel Reverie. —Abby Monteil, Them., 17 Apr. 2025