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

Relevance
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 The ninth floor includes open workstations and an executive entertainment area for clients. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 DeNA, founded in Tokyo in 1999 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, spans mobile games, live-streaming and sports alongside its entertainment business. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 From gaming to crypto Before crypto, Fung started his career in media and entertainment, with a focus on gaming. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 Although the city does not give a breakdown of jobs by category, the creator economy has fueled some of the growth in the city’s entertainment employment over the last six years, said Patrick Prescott, Burbank’s community development director. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 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
  • In stories centered on objects ranging from a button to a tin soldier, young authors recognize the it-narrative’s potential not only for amusement but for showcasing the power of the small and marginal.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of amusement
Noun
  • Unlike tobacco, a static product with no real defensible qualities outside of recreation, consumer technology is ever evolving, and the lines between harmfully addictive and beneficial to society can be extremely blurry.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The youth center has been a community staple for decades where children and teenagers turned for academic support and recreation.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • Don’t let the pressure of a specific end goal cloud your enjoyment of the ride.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the combat happens in short spurts, allowing a fair amount of downtime for recuperation, conversation and enjoyment of the sport.
    — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • The gatherings were family events meant for diversion, Paul said.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Less snowpack, as well as more water diversions for agricultural and urban uses, has brought the lake down to less than 33% full and 8 feet below its minimum healthy elevation.
    — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of diversion
Noun
  • Earlier this year, India became the world's second largest mobile manufacturer, with more than 300 production units as compared to just two in 2014.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some upper-level seats were sold because of demand, but those buyers were relocated downstairs Tuesday once production was installed and additional lower-level seats opened up.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of production
Noun
  • And while the giant disco balls might not be for everyone, Musgraves seems to be having plenty of fun with them.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The all-day menu at Hurly-Burly is filled with light bites, plus an array of fun drinks for kids and adults.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of fun
Noun
  • Seeing ominous vines twist to life on towering trees, or watching the Cheshire Cat materialize through the woodland setting, is always a delight.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • And the vongole, an instant take on the famous clam pasta, is an unexpected delight.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of delight
Noun
  • Unfortunately, Onslaught gets too lost in the sandbox of better directors’ creations to make a case for its own pleasures.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • His films, all of which have been critically and commercially successful, have long blurred the lines between the aspirations of the art house and the pleasures of the grind house.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of pleasure

Browse Nearby Words

entertaining
entertainment
entertainments
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entertainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entertainment. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on entertainment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about entertainment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All