1
as in occupies
to hold the attention of
the challenging jigsaw puzzle engaged us all evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in commits
to obligate by prior agreement
we can't go to the dance because we're already engaged to attend a piano recital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in employs
to provide with a paying job
the wealthy couple are looking to engage a handyman to take care of the estate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in hires
to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum
my sister and her boyfriend have engaged a chauffeured limousine for the prom
Synonyms & Similar 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 engages
Weight-bearing exercise—anything that requires you to support your own body weight or more—engages your skeleton and helps strengthen bone.
—
Jamie Ducharme, Health, 9 Feb. 2026
Like humming, gargling engages muscles connected to the vagus nerve.
—Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Practicing certain breathing exercises, known as breath work, engages our psychosomatic responses by regulating oxygen flow and mental focus.
—Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
The symbolism of foxglove (processed for use in heart medicine, yet lethal if consumed in high quantities) engages the hazardousness of digital overconnection.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Walking on an incline, according to research, engages the lower body and may improve cardiovascular health without overstressing the joints, which is especially beneficial for older adults.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
Most of the money engages the leisurely judgment of the bettors, who have all day to survey the odds or the records of the starting pitchers, or to apply their systems.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Tommy engages the audience in all of his tricks and shows kids how much fun reading can be.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Jan. 2026
The pull toward explanation, footnotes, forcing a journalistic clarity in a literary piece that engages the politics that frame it.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Jamie Ducharme, Health, 9 Feb. 2026
Like humming, gargling engages muscles connected to the vagus nerve.
—Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Practicing certain breathing exercises, known as breath work, engages our psychosomatic responses by regulating oxygen flow and mental focus.
—Stefanie Groner, Glamour, 4 Feb. 2026
The symbolism of foxglove (processed for use in heart medicine, yet lethal if consumed in high quantities) engages the hazardousness of digital overconnection.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Walking on an incline, according to research, engages the lower body and may improve cardiovascular health without overstressing the joints, which is especially beneficial for older adults.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
Most of the money engages the leisurely judgment of the bettors, who have all day to survey the odds or the records of the starting pitchers, or to apply their systems.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Tommy engages the audience in all of his tricks and shows kids how much fun reading can be.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Jan. 2026
The pull toward explanation, footnotes, forcing a journalistic clarity in a literary piece that engages the politics that frame it.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for engages
Verb
-
La Dolce Vita and the Minerva, which occupies the erstwhile palazzo of 17th-century aristocrats, debuted last April.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas occupies the fifth spot.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Upon returning, the couple faces threatening neighbors and uncovers dark neighborhood secrets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
If Antetokounmpo commits to signing an extension, the Bucks can take him off the trade block.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lowe’s employs approximately 300,000 people and operates over 1,700 home improvement stores, 530 branches and 130 distribution centers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The company opened a New York office and studio last year and now employs five staff sourcing across the country, listing and fulfilling product locally.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lee said some hires the city made last fall, before Gloria insisted in November on approving any new hires, will be hard to explain to the public when the city faces such large deficits.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The family hires a talented horse trainer, Tom Booker (Redford), to aid their recovery.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nuisance Bear immerses viewers in the experience of a polar bear forced to navigate tourists, wildlife officers, and hunters as climate change delays the freeze and pushes bears closer to human settlements.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
-
From Agnes’ brutal childbirth scenes to the wrenching heartbreak when the plague hits their household and takes 11-year-old Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), Zhao immerses you in Agnes and Will’s grief while also touching on their own individual internal tussles.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Accessibility The hotel meets ADA standards with appropriate accessibility features, ramps, and elevators throughout the property.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But then Davis meets up with his boss, Money, played by Nick Nolte with an old man’s jagged rasp as dramatic as his wry middle-aged intensity used to be.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An adaptation of the Capcom video game series from director Kitao Sakurai, the film has Koji playing the franchise’s central martial artist, Ryu, who reunites with Ken (Centineo) when Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Angela Burr [Olivia Colman] finds him in the Swiss hotel and recognizes a similar moral fingerprint and recruits him to become a field agent for MI6.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Engages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/engages. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
