ENTERTAIN Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'entertain' different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and divert are common synonyms of entertain . While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods. // a magician entertaining children at a party

Q: When is it sensible to use 'amuse' instead of 'entertain'?

The words amuse and entertain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly. // amuse yourselves while I make dinner

Q: When is 'divert' a more appropriate choice than 'entertain'?

The meanings of divert and entertain largely overlap; however, divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny. // a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

entertain

verb

ˌen-tər-ˈtān

Definition of entertain next

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

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entertain different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and divert are common synonyms of entertain. While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

When is it sensible to use amuse instead of entertain?

The words amuse and entertain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

When is divert a more appropriate choice than entertain?

The meanings of divert and entertain largely overlap; however, divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

Examples 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 entertain And now the Saudis are demanding an actual two-state solution, something that the Israelis are not prepared to even entertain at this moment. —

Peter Balonon-Rosen, Vox, 20 Dec. 2024 While staying at Iris’s home, Amanda falls for Iris’s widowed brother Graham (Law), who occasionally entertains his kids by putting a napkin on his head—hence the name ‘Mr. Napkin Head’. —

Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024 For a vocal portion of the elite national security establishment, however, the remedy for that skepticism is not to entertain that its critics may have a point, but to demand reflexive obedience to an outdated consensus that may no longer be fit for purpose. —

Bernard Hudson, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024 Talk eventually turned to Carpenter’s entertaining new Netflix holiday special, A Nonsense Christmas, with Lord of the Rings obsessive Colbert mentioning that none other than Samwise Gamgee — actor Sean Astin — plays Santa in the singer’s holiday variety show. —

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for entertain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertain

Verb

In a year of exuberance and dread, songs came from every which way to comfort, to amuse, to haunt, to tantalize.

August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Kraus and Nuzzi, who had profiled Kennedy the previous fall, were amused.

The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024