Like, appreciate, relish, and take pleasure in are useful alternatives to enjoy, depending on the strength and kind of pleasure you mean. For example: I relished the chance to speak with the visitors. Enjoy can also mean having a benefit or right, as in enjoy access to a library; those sentences need a different set of alternatives.
These 30 alternatives come with 132 original examples. Some replace enjoy directly; others fit one meaning or require a different sentence pattern. Use the examples to choose wording for a talk, message, report, or everyday conversation.
Like is the plainest alternative when enjoy means finding something pleasant. It usually expresses a general preference rather than the experience of pleasure at one moment. Use like a person or activity, like doing something, or like to do something. It can sound less enthusiastic than enjoy, which may suit a straightforward answer about everyday interests or preferences.
Like in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
I like the quieter pace of the morning session.
She likes listening to speakers with different backgrounds.
We like the way the new room encourages discussion.
He likes to practise his opening before breakfast.
They liked the short exercise at the end.
2. Love
Love expresses strong liking or affection and is common in everyday enthusiastic responses. Use love a subject, love doing something, or love to do something. It can replace enjoy when stronger enthusiasm is intended, but may overstate a restrained professional assessment. In a feedback note, explain the particular feature you loved so the praise has a clear basis.
I love hearing the stories behind these photographs.
She loved the opportunity to work with the volunteers.
We love the relaxed atmosphere of the reading group.
He loves to discuss ideas after the formal session.
They loved the unexpected ending of the performance.
3. Adore
Adore conveys very strong affection or enthusiastic liking. It is expressive and often conversational, making it suitable for personal interests or warm remarks. Use adore a person, place, object, or activity; adore doing something is natural. It is stronger than enjoy and may sound exaggerated in a measured evaluation, especially when the feeling is only moderate approval.
She adores visiting the small theatre near her home.
I adore the illustrations in this edition.
He adores telling stories to his grandchildren.
We adored the lively music at the gathering.
They adore the character's dry sense of humour.
4. Appreciate
Appreciate means recognising value, understanding something, or feeling grateful for it. It fits enjoy when pleasure comes with awareness of quality or usefulness, but does not always imply entertainment. Use appreciate a gesture or appreciate doing something. In professional messages it can acknowledge a benefit more calmly than love, without claiming that the whole experience was enjoyable.
Appreciate in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
I appreciate the care you put into the examples.
She appreciates having time to review her notes.
We appreciated the quiet room after the busy morning.
He appreciates the humour in the closing story.
They appreciated the chance to ask questions privately.
5. Relish
Relish means taking particular pleasure in something, often with enthusiasm or anticipation. It works well for a welcome challenge, an experience, or food. Use relish an opportunity or relish doing something. It is stronger and more vivid than enjoy; when the object is an argument or rivalry, it may suggest enthusiasm for conflict rather than a neutral interest.
She relished the opportunity to lead the discussion.
I relish working through an unfamiliar problem.
He relished the fresh bread after the long walk.
We relished the quiet hour before the visitors arrived.
They relished debating the surprising question.
6. Savour
Savour means enjoying something slowly or attentively, often to prolong the pleasure. It suits food, a moment, or an experience whose details matter. Use savour a flavour or savour the moment. The American spelling is savor. It is not a general replacement for every enjoyable activity, because it emphasises attention and appreciation rather than simply having a good time.
I savoured the first sip of coffee after the rehearsal.
She savoured the applause before leaving the stage.
We savoured the view from the quiet terrace.
He savoured the chance to reread the letter.
They savoured every part of the leisurely lunch.
7. Delight in
Delight in expresses clear pleasure, sometimes with a lively or affectionate tone. Use delight in a noun or an -ing form, rather than delight in to do something. It suits hobbies, details, and small discoveries. It can also imply enjoying someone else’s discomfort if that is the object, so choose the surrounding wording carefully when describing another person’s attitude.
Delight in in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
She delights in discovering unusual local stories.
I delight in the small details of the illustration.
He delighted in making the children laugh.
We delighted in the unexpected warmth of the welcome.
They delight in working together on the annual display.
8. Revel in
Revel in suggests taking enthusiastic or prolonged pleasure in an experience. It is stronger than enjoy and works with freedom, attention, success, or a lively setting. Use revel in something or revel in doing something. Depending on the object, it can suggest indulgence or self-satisfaction, so it may be unsuitable for modest professional praise or a restrained description.
She revelled in the freedom to choose her own subject.
He revelled in the attention after the performance.
We revelled in the lively atmosphere of the festival.
I revel in having an afternoon with no appointments.
They revelled in telling the story again.
9. Take pleasure in
Take pleasure in is a clear phrase for finding an activity or experience enjoyable. It can sound more reflective or formal than have fun. Use take pleasure in a noun or an -ing form. It is useful when explaining what someone values, but the object matters: taking pleasure in another person’s failure carries a very different judgement from enjoying a hobby.
I take pleasure in arranging the books by theme.
She takes pleasure in helping new speakers find their confidence.
He took pleasure in the careful craftsmanship of the chair.
We take pleasure in meeting the returning visitors.
They took pleasure in sharing the photographs with friends.
10. Be fond of
Be fond of expresses continuing affection or liking, rather than pleasure in a single moment. Use be fond of a person, thing, or activity, including an -ing form. It often sounds warm and understated. It is a partial alternative to enjoy because someone can be fond of a place or person without describing an activity they are currently experiencing.
Be fond of in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
She is fond of telling stories after dinner.
I am fond of the little library near the station.
He is fond of working with handwritten notes.
We are fond of the informal question session.
They are fond of the songs they learned as children.
Describe an enjoyable experience or response
11. Have fun
Have fun means enjoying an activity, usually with a light or playful tone. It is a natural alternative in conversation and friendly instructions. Use have fun doing something or have fun with an activity. It may be too casual for a serious account of satisfaction or a formal event, even when participants find the work enjoyable and rewarding.
We had fun trying the unfamiliar warm-up exercise.
She had fun with the improvised storytelling game.
I hope you have fun at the workshop.
He had fun designing the poster with his niece.
They had fun comparing their different versions of the scene.
12. Have a good time
Have a good time describes an enjoyable occasion or experience in plain conversational language. Use have a good time at an event or have a good time doing something. It is broader than have fun and can fit relaxed or sociable activities. It does not explain which part was enjoyable, so add a specific detail when giving useful feedback.
We had a good time at the community reading.
She had a good time exploring the exhibition.
I had a good time talking with the visiting speakers.
He hoped everyone would have a good time at the picnic.
They had a good time sharing stories after the session.
13. Get a kick out of
Get a kick out of is an informal expression for finding something amusing or particularly enjoyable. Use get a kick out of a noun or an -ing form. It suits friendly conversations about small pleasures and entertaining experiences. It is more casual than enjoy and can sound flippant if used for a serious achievement, sensitive experience, or formal appreciation.
I get a kick out of spotting the hidden joke.
She got a kick out of trying the unfamiliar instrument.
He gets a kick out of making the audience guess.
We got a kick out of comparing the old photographs.
14. Take joy in
Take joy in emphasises happiness drawn from something valued, often with a reflective or affectionate tone. Use take joy in an activity or take joy in doing something. It can suit personal writing about relationships or small pleasures, but sounds more deliberate than a casual enjoy. It does not necessarily mean excitement or a lively social occasion.
Take joy in in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
She takes joy in watching her students develop their ideas.
I take joy in the first flowers of spring.
He took joy in sharing the family stories.
We take joy in seeing the new volunteers feel welcome.
15. Be entertained by
Be entertained by describes amusement or interest supplied by a performance, story, or activity. It fits one aspect of enjoy, especially when the purpose is entertainment. Use be entertained by something or someone. It does not necessarily imply admiration, learning, or emotional depth, so it may understate a response to a moving or personally meaningful experience.
We were entertained by the speaker's quick observations.
She was entertained by the short animated film.
He was entertained by the playful exchange between the hosts.
I was entertained by the stories in the opening section.
16. Be pleased with
Be pleased with expresses satisfaction or approval of a result, object, or experience. It is useful when enjoy means liking the outcome rather than having fun during an activity. Use be pleased with something; be pleased to do something has a different construction. It is restrained enough for professional feedback, though readers still benefit from knowing what earned the approval.
She was pleased with the finished recording.
We were pleased with the way the discussion developed.
He was pleased with the new arrangement of the room.
I was pleased with the clarity of the revised instructions.
17. Be charmed by
Be charmed by means responding warmly to something appealing, delightful, or endearing. It is a more specific alternative than enjoy and often suits personal descriptions of places, performances, or gestures. Use be charmed by a detail or manner. It does not imply that something is reliable or excellent in every respect; charm describes a response to its appeal.
I was charmed by the little drawings in the margin.
She was charmed by the host's thoughtful welcome.
We were charmed by the courtyard's unexpected quietness.
He was charmed by the children's version of the story.
18. Soak up
Soak up can describe absorbing and enjoying an atmosphere, attention, or experience. It is vivid and conversational, suggesting that someone spends time taking it in. Use soak up the atmosphere or soak up information. The information sense concerns learning rather than pleasure, so this is a contextual alternative to enjoy, not a replacement in every sentence.
Soak up in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
We soaked up the atmosphere before the performance began.
She soaked up the sunshine during the lunch break.
He soaked up the applause at the end of his talk.
I sat by the window and soaked up the peaceful view.
19. Lap up
Lap up means accepting or enjoying something eagerly, especially attention, praise, or entertaining material. It is informal and may suggest uncritical enthusiasm. Use lap up the praise or lap up a story. Because it can sound slightly mocking, it is better for a lively personal account than for respectful feedback about how another person received a serious message.
He lapped up the praise after his first performance.
The children lapped up every part of the adventure story.
She lapped up the lively anecdotes during the interview.
We lapped up the playful explanations of the local legends.
20. Bask in
Bask in suggests enjoying a pleasant feeling, attention, or success for a while. It draws on the literal image of resting in warmth. Use bask in the sunshine, bask in praise, or bask in a welcome. It is more leisurely and expressive than enjoy, and can suggest self-satisfaction when describing someone’s response to admiration or applause.
She basked in the warm welcome from the returning members.
He basked in the applause for a few moments.
We basked in the afternoon sunshine after the walk.
I let myself bask in the satisfaction of finishing the talk.
21. Celebrate
Celebrate describes marking or expressing joy about an event, achievement, or occasion. It is related to enjoy but names an action rather than the feeling itself. Use celebrate a milestone or celebrate with friends. Someone can celebrate without enjoying every part of the event, so this works when the original sentence concerns sharing or marking a happy experience.
We celebrated the group's anniversary with a shared lunch.
She celebrated finishing the course by visiting the theatre.
He celebrated the volunteers' work in his closing remarks.
They celebrated together after the final performance.
22. Find rewarding
Find rewarding describes an activity as giving satisfaction, value, or a sense of achievement. Use find something rewarding or find doing something rewarding. It is a useful alternative when pleasure is connected to purpose, especially in work or volunteering. A rewarding experience can still be tiring or difficult, so the phrase does not mean uninterrupted enjoyment or entertainment.
Find rewarding in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
I find helping new speakers rewarding.
She found the long research project rewarding.
We find these conversations rewarding even when they are challenging.
He found working with the visiting students rewarding.
Describe benefits, access, or favourable circumstances
23. Benefit from
Benefit from means receiving an advantage or helpful effect from something. It fits the sense of enjoy used with benefits and favourable circumstances, but does not necessarily mean feeling pleasure. Use benefit from a service or benefit from doing something. In practical writing, identify the benefit rather than assuming every participant finds the experience enjoyable or experiences the same result.
The members benefit from access to the shared library.
She benefited from the extra rehearsal time.
We benefit from working with experienced volunteers.
He benefited from the quieter setting during the recording.
24. Make use of
Make use of means actually using something available. It can replace enjoy when the sentence concerns taking advantage of a facility or resource, but changes the emphasis from access to action. Use make use of a room, service, or opportunity. Someone may enjoy access without using it, so check whether the original sentence needs to preserve that distinction.
We made use of the quiet room before the talk.
She made use of the library's recording equipment.
He made use of the extra time to revise his notes.
The group made use of the outdoor space during the break.
25. Make the most of
Make the most of means using an opportunity or resource as fully or effectively as possible. It can combine enjoyment with practical advantage, but it implies active effort rather than merely having a benefit. Use make the most of time, access, or an experience. It may suit encouragement, while a neutral description of availability needs a less directive phrase.
We made the most of the afternoon by exploring the exhibition.
She made the most of the chance to ask questions.
He made the most of the quiet hour before rehearsal.
They made the most of the garden during the break.
26. Have access to
Have access to means being able or permitted to use, enter, or obtain something. It is a precise alternative when enjoy describes a facility or resource available to someone. Use have access to a library or information. It does not mean the person likes the resource or actually uses it, which makes it unsuitable for the ordinary pleasure sense of enjoy.
Have access to in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
Members have access to the library throughout the week.
She has access to a rehearsal room near her home.
We have access to the recordings after the session.
He has access to the archive through the research group.
27. Be privileged to
Be privileged to expresses that an experience or opportunity is regarded as a special advantage or honour. Use be privileged to do something. It can replace enjoy the privilege of doing something, but adds a personal assessment of the occasion. It may suit thanks or a formal introduction; overusing it for routine activities can make the tone unnecessarily grand.
I was privileged to hear her account in person.
She was privileged to work with the founding members.
We were privileged to host the visiting storyteller.
He felt privileged to help preserve the group's archive.
28. Experience
Experience means encountering or living through something. It fits enjoy in some descriptions of favourable circumstances, but removes the assumption of pleasure. Use experience a benefit, feeling, or situation. Add a positive adjective if that meaning needs to remain. It is a broad verb, so a more specific term may explain the activity better in an ordinary account.
We experienced a warm welcome at the centre.
She experienced greater freedom in her new role.
He experienced the calm of the garden after the busy morning.
The group experienced a successful start to the programme.
29. Have
Have can replace enjoy when the meaning is possessing a benefit, facility, or favourable circumstance. It is plain and neutral: have a good reputation or have certain rights. It does not express pleasure by itself. Use it when a formal enjoy construction seems unnecessarily elaborate, while checking that the sentence still makes clear what the person or organisation actually possesses.
Have in a sentence; keep the meaning described in this entry.
The group has a good reputation in the neighbourhood.
Members have the right to use the reading room.
She has considerable freedom to arrange the sessions.
We have the advantage of an experienced coordinator.
30. Hold
Hold means possessing or retaining something, including a right, position, or status. It is a specific alternative when enjoy describes an entitlement rather than pleasure. Use hold a position or hold certain rights, depending on the context. It cannot replace enjoy a meal or enjoy listening to music, and rights-related wording should preserve the accurate description of the arrangement.
She holds the position of honorary chair.
The members hold equal voting rights within the association.
He holds a respected place in the group's history.
The organisation holds the right to use the shared space.
What is a simple synonym for enjoy?
Like is a simple alternative for a general preference. Have fun or have a good time fits an enjoyable activity or occasion. If the sentence concerns access, rights, or benefits, have or benefit from may be more accurate than a word expressing pleasure.
Do I say enjoy doing or enjoy to do?
Use enjoy doing: I enjoy listening to these stories. Enjoy normally takes a noun or an -ing form in this construction, not to plus a verb. Some alternatives use different patterns: I like to listen is natural, while I take pleasure in listening needs in and the -ing form.
Are appreciate and enjoy the same?
They overlap when you value a pleasant experience, but appreciate can mean recognising value or feeling grateful without having fun. You might appreciate a clear explanation of an unwelcome result. Enjoy more directly states pleasure in the activity or experience.
What does enjoy mean with rights or benefits?
In sentences such as members enjoy access to the library, enjoy means have or benefit from. It does not necessarily say that they feel pleasure or use the library often. Have access to makes the availability explicit; make use of says that someone actually uses it.
Choosing the right wording
Choose whether you mean liking, pleasure during an experience, satisfaction afterwards, or having a benefit. Then check the construction: relish the opportunity, delight in working, and find the work rewarding all need different wording. One specific detail about what you enjoyed will usually make a message warmer and more useful than several enthusiastic adjectives.
Enjoy synonyms at a glance
Alternative
Meaning and use
Like
Like is the plainest alternative when enjoy means finding something pleasant.
Love
Love expresses strong liking or affection and is common in everyday enthusiastic responses.
Adore
Adore conveys very strong affection or enthusiastic liking.
Appreciate
Appreciate means recognising value, understanding something, or feeling grateful for it.
Relish
Relish means taking particular pleasure in something, often with enthusiasm or anticipation.
Savour
Savour means enjoying something slowly or attentively, often to prolong the pleasure.
Delight in
Delight in expresses clear pleasure, sometimes with a lively or affectionate tone.
Revel in
Revel in suggests taking enthusiastic or prolonged pleasure in an experience.
Take pleasure in
Take pleasure in is a clear phrase for finding an activity or experience enjoyable.
Be fond of
Be fond of expresses continuing affection or liking, rather than pleasure in a single moment.
Have fun
Have fun means enjoying an activity, usually with a light or playful tone.
Have a good time
Have a good time describes an enjoyable occasion or experience in plain conversational language.
Get a kick out of
Get a kick out of is an informal expression for finding something amusing or particularly enjoyable.
Take joy in
Take joy in emphasises happiness drawn from something valued, often with a reflective or affectionate tone.
Be entertained by
Be entertained by describes amusement or interest supplied by a performance, story, or activity.
Be pleased with
Be pleased with expresses satisfaction or approval of a result, object, or experience.
Be charmed by
Be charmed by means responding warmly to something appealing, delightful, or endearing.
Soak up
Soak up can describe absorbing and enjoying an atmosphere, attention, or experience.
Lap up
Lap up means accepting or enjoying something eagerly, especially attention, praise, or entertaining material.
Bask in
Bask in suggests enjoying a pleasant feeling, attention, or success for a while.
Celebrate
Celebrate describes marking or expressing joy about an event, achievement, or occasion.
Find rewarding
Find rewarding describes an activity as giving satisfaction, value, or a sense of achievement.
Benefit from
Benefit from means receiving an advantage or helpful effect from something.
Make use of
Make use of means actually using something available.
Make the most of
Make the most of means using an opportunity or resource as fully or effectively as possible.
Have access to
Have access to means being able or permitted to use, enter, or obtain something.
Be privileged to
Be privileged to expresses that an experience or opportunity is regarded as a special advantage or honour.
Experience
Experience means encountering or living through something.
Have
Have can replace enjoy when the meaning is possessing a benefit, facility, or favourable circumstance.
Hold
Hold means possessing or retaining something, including a right, position, or status.
