as in entertains
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
the older girl amused her four-year-old sister at the family reunion by showing her off to all the relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 amuses
And Griffin Hanson amuses in several small roles.
—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
The thing that amuses me the most?
—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
In December, the two sat down in Exactly Right’s Burbank headquarters — a setting that still amuses them both.
—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Zoë has been Artemis' right-hand warrior for more than 2,000 years, giving her a more serious nature that amuses modern demigods.
—
EW.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
The thing that amuses me the most?
—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
In December, the two sat down in Exactly Right’s Burbank headquarters — a setting that still amuses them both.
—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Zoë has been Artemis' right-hand warrior for more than 2,000 years, giving her a more serious nature that amuses modern demigods.
—
EW.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amuses
Verb
-
Fans can enjoy a selection of food favorites like hot dogs, pizza, pierogi, burgers, warm pretzels and popcorn in addition to full-service bars in the stands, while mascot Rusty the Railcat entertains all ages.
-
For Rodriguez, the property represents the realization of a childhood dream that shaped not only the architecture of the home but also how the couple entertains and lives.
Verb
-
Trump regularly regales audiences with his prowess as a dealmaker by recounting conversations he's had with Macron about trade irritants, mimicking Macron's responses in an exaggerated accent.
-
Aboard the boat, Terry regales his passengers with tales of the river, from namesake Twain to tragic Lovers' Leap just downstream of Hannibal.
Verb
-
Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.
-
In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns.
Cite this Entry
“Amuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amuses. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
