1
as in amuses
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 contemplates
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 has
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 entertains
The question is whether that hardware expands or merely entertains.
—
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
By night, Criel entertains guests for intimate dinners — and the occasional artistic performance.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
No memoir entertains like Hollywood, which is why readers should read Zwick’s, and many more.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As a riff on the British whodunit, Columbus’ film is simply a cozy, and perhaps an all too simple, affair — nothing more than a jigsaw puzzle that neither challenges nor frustrates, but only passively entertains.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
By night, Criel entertains guests for intimate dinners — and the occasional artistic performance.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
No memoir entertains like Hollywood, which is why readers should read Zwick’s, and many more.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As a riff on the British whodunit, Columbus’ film is simply a cozy, and perhaps an all too simple, affair — nothing more than a jigsaw puzzle that neither challenges nor frustrates, but only passively entertains.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertains
Verb
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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,
EW.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The couple now keeps the tiny strands safe, even as Jessica contemplates one day turning them into a keepsake.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Not everyone contemplates the cosmos, but star sign beliefs may lead us to choose our romantic partner or judge our existing partner’s motives and intentions, based on what their horoscope says.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The aforementioned head also has lights, with batteries included, and a tiny switch behind the neck.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The newspaper reported at the time that Zinn has a criminal record dating back to 1989 that includes dozens of convictions for petty crimes such as criminal trespass, theft of services, interfering with a police officer and disturbing the peace.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The research team carefully ponders numerous different inputs for each type of complexity.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Sorrentino’s script cleverly ponders the difference between the truth absorbed up close and the law, which is viewed from a distance.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, holds less than 900 fans at the league’s Wayfair Arena home near Miami.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Zhmo Canvas Tote Bag Finding a work bag that checks every box—fits your laptop, holds your lunch and water bottle, keeps things organized, and still looks stylish—is no small feat.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Musk considers environmental regulation a barrier to innovation.—
Taylor Kate Brown,
ProPublica,
17 Sep. 2025
-
An hour later, four Chinese ships entered what Taiwan considers restricted waters south of Kinmen's Lieyu island, prompting Taipei to deploy four of its own coast guard vessels to intercept and monitor the intruders.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The soft details include a tagless design and chafe-free stitching, and the crew neck retains its shape well.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
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The result is a retro profile that still retains a contemporary appeal.—
Katia Damborsky,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the Fed debates its next move, remember that Warren Buffett isn’t trying to guess tomorrow’s stock chart.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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As Washington debates the future of the space agency, the Perseverance team can only go about its business, sending its rover this way and that, to sniff out clues to Mars’s ancient past.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entertains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertains. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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