to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner

She amused the guests with witty conversation.

to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in

The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.

to cause (time, leisure, etc.) to pass agreeably.

Archaic . to keep in expectation by flattery, pretenses, etc.

Obsolete .

to engross; absorb.

to puzzle; distract.

verb

anger , annoy , bore , dull , tire , upset

verb

break one up , charm , cheer , crack up * , delight , divert , fracture * , gladden , grab * , gratify , interest , kill * , knock dead , make roll in the aisles , occupy , panic * , please , put away * , regale , slay * , tickle , wow *notes:the first meaning of amuse was \'to divert the attention of in order to mislead , \' \'delude , deceive\' and now means \'entertain , make smile or laugh\'; bemuse means \'confuse , bewilder , puzzle\' , entertain , recreate , beguile , disport , distract , engage , exhilarate , fascinate , kill , play , sport , titivate , toy