recreation 1 of 2

noun (1)

ˌre-krē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce recreation (audio)
Definition of recreationnext
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

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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

re-creation

2 of 2

noun (2)

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
Noun
Donlon, an avid climber and skier, was studying outdoor recreation leadership and had come to Colorado to pursue his love of the mountains. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026 Plans for the merged communities include expanding full-time staffing in departments such as public works, parks and recreation, and code and zoning. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
For the first time in decades, golfers are playing a re-creation of Mapledale's original nine-hole layout. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Taco Bell ran one, and Madame Tussauds built a re-creation of the chapel from The Hangover where couples could marry next to a wax Zach Galifianakis. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recreation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recreation
  1. relaxation
  2. entertainment
  3. amusement
  4. sport
  5. restoration
  6. fun
  7. diversion
  8. pursuit
Noun
  • The Ritz-Carlton also boasts the island’s only hammam, as well as a spacious relaxation deck to amplify the sense of elemental escape, with waves lapping away just beneath your feet.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The six-bedroom, six-bath farmhouse is considered a hub for recreation and relaxation with a 75-foot swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, tennis and bocce courts.
    — Kat Tran October 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • The two tied the knot in July 2010 in a New York ceremony with hundreds of guests, among them sports and entertainment stars including LeBron James, Spike Lee, Serena Williams, Ciara, Kim Kardashian and Ludacris, The Times reported.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The entertainer, 67, was a guest on The Drew Barrymore show recently, and spoke to guest host Valerie Bertinelli about his early days in entertainment.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • Stewart concluded by joking that his final act of objetophilia had taken place in the very theater where the gala was being held, much to the audience’s dismay and amusement.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Family members of patients and others with ties to Eloise have argued against offering for-profit amusement at a site where vulnerable people suffered.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of amusement
Noun
  • Demand for grading — an act of verifying a card’s authenticity and condition — has grown as collectors increasingly treat trading and vintage sports cards as alternative investments.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Fifty years on, the sports watch has been reimagined many times and remains highly coveted by collectors.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of sport
Noun
  • Pacchioni is joined in the new venture by his longtime friends Yeosh Bendayan and Jon Ruhff, experienced entrepreneurs who are now adding hospitality to a portfolio that thus far includes audio branding and auto restoration.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Below, take a look at the trailer for the new restoration, an IndieWire exclusive.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of restoration
Noun
  • For another fun twist on ice-queen glam, take a cue from Zara Larsson and pile on the shimmery silver-white shadow accented with rhinestones in lieu of snowflakes, or perhaps a fresh platinum blonde hair color à la Serena Williams.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But even the hardest-to-please folks are usually thrilled with a techy gift that makes their life easier, more convenient or just more fun.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • The three suspects could face charges related to unlawful interception, recording, diversion, alteration, obstruction or monitoring of nonpublic electronic communications, which carry up to 10 years in prison.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Bomb threats targeting flights operated by Ryanair, LOT and Scandinavian Airlines prompted searches, diversions and airport disruptions across Italy, Poland and Spain on Tuesday.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of diversion
Noun
  • For more physical pursuits, the hotel has a nine-hole golf course and driving range, as well as three tennis courts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Christine Grimm, Founder of Aria Consulting International & Master Coach, guides leaders in the pursuit of sustainable growth and change.
    — Christine Grimm, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of pursuit

Browse Nearby Words

re-creating
recreation
re-creation
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Cite this Entry

“Recreation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recreation. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on recreation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about recreation

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