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
Relevance
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
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
The first of the drug’s six phases, for example, involves our heroes being swallowed by a giant squid and forced to entertain the unamused human baby in its belly.
—
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
With delicate humor and heartfelt moments, this bittersweet class-comedy entertains while provoking thought about our ability to live together and create meaningful connections.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Just a few days ago, traders began to entertain the possibility that the Fed’s next move could be a hike.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Movies set in the world of top-secret spycraft and covert operations have entertained audiences for decades.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for entertain
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
With delicate humor and heartfelt moments, this bittersweet class-comedy entertains while provoking thought about our ability to live together and create meaningful connections.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Just a few days ago, traders began to entertain the possibility that the Fed’s next move could be a hike.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Movies set in the world of top-secret spycraft and covert operations have entertained audiences for decades.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for entertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertain
Verb
-
Footage of an American in Spain handling a pickpocket thief went viral when it was shared on social media, as viewers were amused by his quick reaction.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jessica Hecht, playing one of the hostages, adds her typically off-beat depth, and I was most amused by John Ortiz as the FBI agent with the standard G-man voice and personality to match.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The idea that consumer taxes would be one of them is hard to contemplate.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The slow burn of Santos getting repeatedly plowed over with stress and emotion has led her to contemplate self-harm again.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Kings never had the defensive activity to disrupt them much.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Political experts have also pointed out that Proposition 50 passed with a wide margin, with 64% of of voters approving the measure, so the investigation wouldn't have any impact on the results.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Decades ago, Americans regaled their friends and neighbors with tales of their recent travels via slideshows presented at home on a Kodak Carousel projector.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Nash’s Santa Clara teams had that under coach Dick Davey, whose lessons in mental toughness were regaled in Nash’s Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement speech.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th-century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st-century hustle possible?—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But news is expected soon on the Hall of Fame KU coach, who is pondering his future after having heart problems the past few years.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Perry's representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the workers were eventually allowed to hold onto the gift cards after confusion was cleared up.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
However, the Heat holds the tiebreaker, so the Hornets are in 10th place in the conference with six games left.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Overland Park is considering building new community pools as part of its widespread parks and recreation master plan.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Families should consider making a nutritious snack available an hour or so before sports practices so children with that earlier lunch time have energy available to fuel activities.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To forecast what comes next, a system must retain traces of what came before—but not too much.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The joint campaign has focused intensely on destroying and degrading Iran's missile defenses, but Tehran has retained the capability to hit back across the region.—
Mosheh Gains,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertain. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
