BEMUSE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

bemuse

verb

bi-ˈmyüz

Definition of bemuse

as in to interest

to hold the attention of a public that seemed more bemused by the shenanigans of celebrities than by a war being waged half a world away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bewilder

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the stage mishap momentarily bemused the actress

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bemuse Needless to say, Ben Shelton (who ended up winning the men’s event) and his opponent Karen Khachanov were bemused by the interruption. — Max Gao, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025 Audiences bemused, delighted, hoodwinked theatrically, hoodwinked for real. — Anne Carson, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025 Cue a wave of gags in which Hank is bemused by everything from boba to hybrid-car engines to all-gender bathrooms. — Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025 Kylie — who was also in attendance at the taping, appeared utterly bemused by the life-sized re-creation of her children’s drawing. — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bemuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemuse

Verb

What interests me is this idea of hybridity—where human infrastructure and natural systems become entangled.

— Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
The cliche of getting involved in activities that interest you where other people might go is actually a good idea.

— Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 25 July 2026

Definition of interest

Verb

In Texas, Spain bewildered France, neutralising what has looked like the most formidable attack in the tournament.

— Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 18 July 2026
As fans of the comedian know, Ali G is a streetwise interviewer whose hip hop slang often bewilders guests such as Noam Chomsky, Andy Rooney and Newt Gingrich.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 7 July 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

Spikerman, a third-round pick from 2024, intrigued other teams because of his strong defense in center field and some offensive improvements this season.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 24 July 2026
If this topic intrigues you, join us at the free, online Work on Purpose Summit on July 30, 2026.

— Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of intrigue

Verb

Workers at Doherty Staffing Solutions were perplexed when strangers started calling the office in response to recruitment texts — texts the firm never sent.

— Bill Lukitsch, Boston Herald, 13 July 2026
The Wiener Kitchen diners weren’t the only Kansas Citians perplexed by this description.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

The concept of responding to a thing or prompt would fascinate Forti all her life.

— News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026
After all, what are the pirate-ship kitchens Bourdain recounts early in Kitchen Confidential if not a more dangerous, adult version of the juvenile hijinks that have always fascinated Johnson?

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

Still, don’t confuse harmony with everyone silently knowing the plan.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
Large-scale solar farms cause habitat loss, fragment ecosystems, and confuse wildlife with reflective panels, while concentrated solar can vaporize birds.

— Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

In total, Chinese companies occupy six of the 10 spots for the most innovative humanoid robotics startups in the world, according to the report.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
While both candidates occupy the left side of the national political spectrum, their records illustrate two distinct governing philosophies that have frequently clashed in San Francisco Democratic politics.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of occupy

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“Bemuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemuse. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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