amuse
verb (used with object)
to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner.
had been amusing
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past perfect progressiveof amuse.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dr Wills said it had been amusing to watch the internet debate unfold, but "the answer is still no", humans will not evolve into crabs.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2025
They knew where he was when he supposed himself invisible, and they had been amusing themselves at his expense.
From Camp-fire and Wigwam by Edward Sylvester Ellis
Peter Many-Names nodded, his usual mode of assent; to him Dick's evident struggle between inclination and duty had been amusing, and there was a rare gleam of merriment in his dark face.
From Dick's Desertion A Boy's Adventures in Canadian Forests by Marjorie L. C. Pickthall
It appeared that they had been amusing themselves by prowling about the camp and investigating the condition of affairs generally.
From Dick Leslie's Luck A Story of Shipwreck and Adventure by Harold Piffard
He had been amusing himself with his friends, and invited all his acquaintances to the wedding.
From Timar's Two Worlds by Mór Jókai
