Definition of amusementnext
as in entertainment
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public with the opening of Disneyland in 1955, the film producer Walt Disney greatly expanded his amusement empire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 amusement 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, 18 Aug. 2026 In the absence of obvious sources of amusement, visitors hopped among booths in feverish pursuit of swag—key chains, stickers, sunglasses. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 In a television ad for Dunkin’, Kylie Jenner wore a blush-pink, satin, structured blazer with over-the-top shoulder pads, a designer choice that generated some amusement online from those previously unfamiliar with the brand’s name. Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 The press noted with amusement the plight of the court reporter who threw his hands in the air in frustration after trying to transcribe scatting. Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amusement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amusement
Noun
  • Potential suitors would also naturally be looking at what the future holds for the entertainment business at large.
    Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The global board game market has been on the upswing since 2020, when people looked for new entertainment and hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amusement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amusement. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster