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View synonyms for engage

engage

1

[ en-geyj ]

verb (used with object)

, en·gaged, en·gag·ing.
  1. to occupy the attention or efforts of (a person or persons):

    He engaged her in conversation.

    Synonyms: involve, interest, engross, absorb

  2. to secure for aid, employment, use, etc.; hire:

    to engage a worker;

    to engage a room.

    Antonyms: discharge

  3. to attract and hold fast:

    The novel engaged her attention and interest.

  4. to attract or please:

    His good nature engages everyone.

  5. to bind, as by pledge, promise, contract, or oath; make liable:

    He engaged himself to repay his debt within a month.

  6. to betroth (usually used in the passive):

    They were engaged last week.

  7. to bring (troops) into conflict; enter into conflict with:

    Our army engaged the enemy.

  8. Mechanics. to cause (gears or the like) to become interlocked; interlock with.

    Antonyms: release

  9. to attach or secure.
  10. Obsolete. to entangle or involve.


verb (used without object)

, en·gaged, en·gag·ing.
  1. to occupy oneself; become involved:

    to engage in business or politics.

  2. to take employment:

    She engaged in her mother's business.

  3. to pledge one's word; assume an obligation:

    I was unwilling to engage on such terms.

  4. to cross weapons; enter into conflict:

    The armies engaged early in the morning.

  5. Mechanics. (of gears or the like) to interlock.

engagé

2

[ French ahn-ga-zhey ]

adjective

  1. choosing to involve oneself in or commit oneself to something:

    Some of the political activists grew less engagé as the years passed.

engagé

1

/ ɑ̃ɡaʒe /

adjective

  1. (of a writer or artist, esp a man) morally or politically committed to some ideology
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

engage

2

/ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ /

verb

  1. to secure the services of; employ
  2. to secure for use; reserve

    engage a room

  3. to involve (a person or his attention) intensely; engross; occupy
  4. to attract (the affection) of (a person)

    her innocence engaged him

  5. to draw (somebody) into conversation
  6. intr to take part; participate

    he engages in many sports

  7. to promise (to do something)
  8. also intr military to begin an action with (an enemy)
  9. to bring (a mechanism) into operation

    he engaged the clutch

  10. also intr to undergo or cause to undergo interlocking, as of the components of a driving mechanism, such as a gear train
  11. machinery to locate (a locking device) in its operative position or to advance (a tool) into a workpiece to commence cutting
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • enˈgager, noun
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Other Words From

  • en·gager noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of engage1

First recorded in 1515–25; from Middle French engager, Old French engagier; en- 1( def ), gage 1( def )

Origin of engage2

First recorded in 1950–55; from French: literally, “engaged”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of engage1

C15: from Old French engagier, from en- 1+ gage a pledge, see gage 1
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Example Sentences

By engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, the team observed that inflammation could be eased by inhibiting SUMOylation, a cellular process that shapes immune response.

The researchers found that adult chimpanzees were more likely to engage in social play before participating in group activities, such as monkey hunting or territorial defense against hostile outsiders.

The Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that the ruling wouldn’t affect its ongoing efforts to investigate “allegations of law enforcement gang activity” and that officials “encourage” deputies to “engage with” oversight bodies.

“If they make certain statements that could have a very deleterious effect or be very disruptive in the class, then the district may have some ability to engage in discipline,” Eliasberg said.

Walrus NYC, filmmaker Andrew Jarecki and Greencard Pictures teamed up to make engaging videos for social media that used comedy to get young men to appreciate the stake they have in policies on reproductive rights.

From Salon

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