1
as in to amuse
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
entertain the kids while I go and prepare dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to contemplate
to give serious and careful thought to
have you ever entertained the thought that you could be wrong?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to have
to keep in one's mind or heart
I don't entertain the hope of ever getting a girl like that to go out with me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of entertain
What To Know Epstein was known to entertain famous people on his island, Little St. James, in the U.S Virgin Islands.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Estimates suggest that more than 40% of workers are entertaining the possibility of a job switch, while another 20% have recently quit their jobs.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Harvard Business Review, 25 Feb. 2025
The People’s Open The WM Green Scene was a hugely popular area for on-course public engagement offering fun, interactive family-friendly activities that educate and entertain.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The Last Showgirl: Plot, Cast, Run Time Directed by Gia Coppola (Mainstream, Palo Alto), The Last Showgirl follows Shelly Gardner (Pamela Anderson), a long-serving showgirl who has to abruptly plan for her future after her show comes to a close after 30 years of entertaining tourists in Las Vegas.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entertain
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Estimates suggest that more than 40% of workers are entertaining the possibility of a job switch, while another 20% have recently quit their jobs.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Harvard Business Review, 25 Feb. 2025
The People’s Open The WM Green Scene was a hugely popular area for on-course public engagement offering fun, interactive family-friendly activities that educate and entertain.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The Last Showgirl: Plot, Cast, Run Time Directed by Gia Coppola (Mainstream, Palo Alto), The Last Showgirl follows Shelly Gardner (Pamela Anderson), a long-serving showgirl who has to abruptly plan for her future after her show comes to a close after 30 years of entertaining tourists in Las Vegas.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertain
Verb
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Gotham-mayhem pics still jolt while Hollywood-glam pics merely amuse.—
Brian T. Allen,
National Review,
20 Feb. 2025
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While many were amused by the viral father-son outing, the child’s mother made her disapproval known.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Such theoretical impairments would be concerning in any context—but especially when contemplating a person who has achieved enough power to be unironically described as co-president of the United States.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2025
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With America out of the picture, Europe is beginning to contemplate moves that would have been unimaginable mere months ago.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Not having a chance to separate from the role, though, made maintaining her own identity a challenge and soon others in the production started to notice.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
1 Mar. 2025
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The diner should have a whole smorgasbord to choose from.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Recurring bits like Opera Man, where Sandler, draped in a cape, regaled Weekend Update with off-key, operatic renditions of the news of the day, weren't exactly tight political satire.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
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The defense put on a dozen witnesses, including Madigan himself, who regaled the jury with tales from his strict, Southwest Side Irish Catholic upbringing and flatly denied any wrongdoing.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Amid this dark, silent space, the siblings survived on rice balls and pondered what had just happened to their serene home.—
Ronan O'Connell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Feb. 2025
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The Kaan isn’t even the first fifth-generation fighter project the Emirates has purportedly pondered joining.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With Republicans holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, Trump framed the speech as an opportunity to rally his party behind his policies, even as tensions simmered within GOP ranks over recent moves on trade and foreign aid.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
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Democrats lodged protests throughout the evening, with one member getting kicked out and others holding signs in silent opposition.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That’s wishful thinking considering tariffs and other intangibles hanging over the Fed’s head, Zandi said.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2025
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It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant people.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That contest went the 12-round distance, with Herring retaining his belt.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The filing stated that almost 5,800 USAID awards for future work, and approximately 4,100 distributed through the State Department, will be terminated, while around 500 USAID awards and roughly 2,700 State Department awards will be retained.—
MaryAlice Parks,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to entertain
Cite this Entry
“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertain. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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