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
Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag entertains your restaurant questions, rants and raves.
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Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026
The episode delivers the cozy, inviting format fans love, giving viewers a closer look at how the Duchess of Sussex gets creative for the holidays, entertains, and cooks (not to mention what's in her winter wardrobe).
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
But there is a welcome space for intelligent, epic filmmaking that entertains and sounds a warning bell.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
On nights when Nova’s feeling sleepy, Poppy happily entertains herself with her mountain of toys — or by spinning in happy circles to reclaim that elusive tail.
—Evan Moore
november 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
The high-energy American Twitch streamer entertains fans through interactive games, commentary and interviews with celebrity guests.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
The media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
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
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.—
Verb
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The judge emphasized that the contract contemplates subscribers as simply those who are authorized to obtain programming, including Dish’s free services.—
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As Notre Dame contemplates its relationship with the ACC after being left out of the College Football Playoff, head coach Marcus Freeman continues to be linked to openings in the NFL.—
Verb
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This previously-$30 set of Merino wool socks already has an excellent value, but the new price point is even sweeter.—
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The bakery has two trailers on the property that are used for housing and as a test kitchen for the bakers.—
Verb
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Small businesses throughout the Golden State, especially those in rural or underserved communities, are on pins and needles as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ponders Verizon’s acquisition of Frontier.—
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The difference between these two performances makes the romance even more unbelievable, as the audience ponders what this seemingly confident woman sees in this immature putz.—
Verb
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The central legal question was whether the board of governors or the club’s voting members holds the ultimate power to authorize major capital projects and debt.—
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New York — Collective wisdom holds that an independent central bank is absolutely vital for any advanced economy.—
Verb
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Modern medical sociology ultimately considers all societal issues to be health issues.—
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Anne Enright considers the aesthetics of Zohran Mamdani’s digital campaign.—
Verb
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Save Victoria Park retains hope that the decision can be reversed, saying that applications for the park’s permanent legal protection are still being evaluated.—
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While many are now driven primarily by economic interests, a subset retains insurgent, ant-imperialist commitments.—
Verb
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This lesson matters today as the international community debates the future of Venezuela.—
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History debates The earlier 1870s period, when Levis Strauss and Jacob Davis patented the rivet, is an era in denim history which has many holes.—
Cite this Entry
“Entertains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertains. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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