bemused

adjective

be·mused bi-ˈmyüzd

bē-

Synonyms of bemused next

: marked by confusion or bewilderment : dazed

… he was fumbling with the sheets, and looking down at them with a slightly bemused expression as though the stuff before him was in a foreign language …—

Robert Penn Warren

: lost in thought or reverie

… as distant and bemused as a Professor Emeritus listening to the prattling of his freshman class.—

Michael Straight

: having or showing feelings of wry amusement especially from something that is surprising or perplexing

This is not another of those now popular books about a bemused outsider's sojourn in rural France, brimming with colorful locals and heart-warming anecdotes.—

J. D. McClatchy

bemusedly

bi-ˈmyü-zəd-lē

bē-

adverb

Harry looked bemusedly at the photograph Colin was brandishing under his nose. —

J. K. Rowling

Examples of bemused in a Sentence

new federal regulations that the easily bemused should make no attempt to read and understand

Recent Examples on the Web Observing the growing overlap in their audiences, the National frontman Matt Berninger has noticed an influx of bemused fans — and way more women. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2024 How did Pat Sajak say goodbye on 'Wheel of Fortune'? Sajak was a part of that — kind of bemused, kind of boring, with a touch of sarcasm. —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 7 June 2024 Johnny’s and Jimmy’s friends do seem happy for them, if a little bemused. —

Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2024 There are times to treat the antics of corrupt, irresponsible, or supine leaders of small but strategically placed countries with bemused detachment, and other times, like now, to twist their arms without compunction. —

Eliot A. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for bemused

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bemused.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.