entertainment

noun

ˌen-tər-ˈtān-mənt How to pronounce entertainment (audio)
Definition of entertainmentnext
1
as in amusement
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public we didn't stay for the featured entertainment because we don't care for comedy acts the film is purely for entertainment and not meant to be taken seriously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in recreation
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment what do you do for entertainment in this town?

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 entertainment Our tenant mix has expanded beyond footwear and apparel to include dining and entertainment as well as services like group fitness and health and beauty facilities. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 The fund will also be looking at investments in media and entertainment, IP, fintech and commercial real estate. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 The Hispanic population in the United States continues to reshape nearly every sector of American society—from sports and entertainment to politics and business. — Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 And as the devices become more common, some public places, including schools, courts, restaurants, and entertainment venues, have begun to ban them. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entertainment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entertainment
  1. amusement
  2. recreation
  3. enjoyment
  4. diversion
  5. production
  6. fun
  7. delight
  8. pleasure
Noun
  • And the crowd on-hand watching the festivities roared in amusement.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
  • New Atlas The rides were in varying stages of decay, and there seemed to be a lot of orphaned carousel horses from other amusement centers dotted across the park.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of amusement
Noun
  • The guidance comes after residents cited noise, effects on wildlife and a desire to preserve natural areas used for recreation, hunting and fishing, according to a press release from the government of Greenland, Naalakkersuisut.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Intended to preserve the human-scale coastal character, conservation values, passive recreation function, neighborhood compatibility and ecological and recreational function of North Hollywood Beach Park and surrounding coastal areas.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • In 2028, American Airlines will upgrade many of its smaller Airbus and Boeing jets, adding 4K screens with Bluetooth audio to seatbacks for passengers' enjoyment.
    — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Evans said Collinson’s research indicates that the ability to rest and decompress at the beginning of a journey can influence the enjoyment that follows.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • Brett Erickson, a managing principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors, told Politico the pirates were benefiting from the diversion of American resources.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Anyone who has ever seen a medical drama knows about drug diversion — when hospital staff skim from or steal a medication that was meant for a patient.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of diversion
Noun
  • Rather than just a reproductive issue, endometriosis is a whole-body condition, affecting everything from emotional regulation to hormone production and gut health.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of production
Noun
  • Paranormal Activity understands just how much fun that can be, crafting a story so suspenseful, so surprising and so startling that the audience’s screams become a soundtrack all their own.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a fun bit when Green pulls her badge to walk Reacher out through the police cordon, pretending to have placed him under arrest, but the ruse doesn’t last long.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Cask-finished whiskey has been released by many other distilleries, but as mentioned above, this year marks the first time that Four Roses has entered the category, to the delight of some whiskey drinkers and the chagrin of others.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Spike Fearn and Angourie Rice delight as academic opposites in this quick-witted, big-hearted and genuinely youthful-feeling British charmer.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of delight
Noun
  • And in its place was the absolute pleasure of watching Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder play their characters perfectly on my favorite show, just a few inches away.
    — Merrill Markoe, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Up the hillside there ever pours in reinforcements, clutching cans of beer and occasionally flags…There is something about it all of a children’s crusade, the young people look so innocent and take their pleasure so gravely.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of pleasure

Browse Nearby Words

entertaining
entertainment
entertainments
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Cite this Entry

“Entertainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertainment. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on entertainment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about entertainment

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