1
as in joys
a source of great satisfaction
the new car is a real pleasure to drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in delights
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment
a good-humored girl who's a pleasure to be around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pleases
to give satisfaction to
a wine that is sure to pleasure even the most discriminating palate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleasures
Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
What if even those fleeting pleasures were to vanish for good?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
That song’s twangful snarl — wonderfully sung by Clark, a star recording artist in her own right — is a reminder that these insurgents are also preservationists, capable of delivering old-fashioned pleasures to please the purists.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
How do teachers carry on teaching, lecturing, checking homework and having students prepare for assessments, and how do students enjoy the pleasures that extracurricular activities bring?
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
This means acknowledging the pleasures of looking back in time, while remaining attentive to the ways that schools too often worsen, rather than challenge, inequalities among students.
—Michael A Messner, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
The sweet satirical soupçon, now at the Nederlander Theatre, extends Apple TV’s tribute to the optimistic pleasures of the art form to its mother source.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
In the package was a grab bag of small pleasures to ease the difficulty of a lengthy deployment – Kind bars, candy, homemade fudge, Girl Scout cookies, puzzle books, pencils, pens, decks of cards and other games.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
After a few short days, simple pleasures like a walk in the woods, a cold plunge, a good meal—and a dragonfly literally resting on my hand—were enough to send me back out into the world feeling a little more present than before.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
Purchasing a bouquet of flowers from a local shop, farmers market, or grocery store is one of life’s greatest little pleasures.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
What if even those fleeting pleasures were to vanish for good?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
That song’s twangful snarl — wonderfully sung by Clark, a star recording artist in her own right — is a reminder that these insurgents are also preservationists, capable of delivering old-fashioned pleasures to please the purists.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
How do teachers carry on teaching, lecturing, checking homework and having students prepare for assessments, and how do students enjoy the pleasures that extracurricular activities bring?
—Jerald McNair, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
This means acknowledging the pleasures of looking back in time, while remaining attentive to the ways that schools too often worsen, rather than challenge, inequalities among students.
—Michael A Messner, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
The sweet satirical soupçon, now at the Nederlander Theatre, extends Apple TV’s tribute to the optimistic pleasures of the art form to its mother source.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
In the package was a grab bag of small pleasures to ease the difficulty of a lengthy deployment – Kind bars, candy, homemade fudge, Girl Scout cookies, puzzle books, pencils, pens, decks of cards and other games.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
After a few short days, simple pleasures like a walk in the woods, a cold plunge, a good meal—and a dragonfly literally resting on my hand—were enough to send me back out into the world feeling a little more present than before.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
In one especially heated sequence, Catherine, overcome with lust, dashes off to the moors and pleasures herself ferociously against the rocks.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasures
Noun
-
For those willing to learn and put in the time, to offer a home for a homeless pig, Houk said, the joys can be great.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This Poway Onstage production shares challenges, joys and chaos with warmth, humor and honesty.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And be prepared for something that dazzles, delights and reacquaints you with Rowling’s imaginative variations on a British school experience.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Caramel layer cakes are known to be finicky, but these tiny delights pack all that flavor without any hassle.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Waldmann Brewery makes a great date night, and Dark Horse’s burger pleases young adults.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This savory and sweet jam is easy to make and pleases a crowd.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Weisberger’s book may have been an opportunistic takedown, but the director David Frankel and the screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna spun it into one of the finer Hollywood entertainments of its era, with the pleasing sophistication and bitchery of a classic studio comedy from the forties or fifties.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The park allow visitors to experience the movie stories; the movies remind you of the park rides; the whole reminds you of beloved childhood entertainments.—
Mark Lane,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Director Gay has sculpted a staging that is faithful to a more leisurely 19th-century storytelling style, yet satisfies modern audiences’ constant craving for stimulation.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And Central Florida’s Lawrence satisfies Niners’ desire for speed and explosiveness to complement Nick Bosa.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
From last year’s clubhouse diversions, the basketball hoop and the pool table remain.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Checkpoints, road closures and diversions have become routine sights, particularly around sensitive zones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Well, Sydney feasts a little bit at the end.—
Claire Messud,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The film originally cost $155 million, in part because of expensive music rights and extensive recreations of famous concert performances.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The series uses archive footage and stylised recreations, and expert analysis from historians and academics to chart the rise to power of each queen, while investigating key aspects of their reign.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasures. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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