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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bewilder

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

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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

And generally, that algorithm does remarkably well at predicting which videos will interest particular users.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
So, this obsession with efficiency – with the bottom line – doesn’t interest me at all.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 8 July 2026

Definition of interest

Verb

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
But these casting decisions are bewildering, to say the least, and will certainly cost the film ticket sales and potential revenue.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

So when Sandra, who wanted to protect her identity for privacy reasons, heard about a new injectable body contouring product last summer, she was intrigued.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
The Coupr technology, however, intrigued the grocery chain’s president.

— Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 13 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

My children can happily spend 40 minutes walking around a store, fascinated by packaging, choice and conversations with staff.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Its incredible restoration under a charismatic Italian priest, his tragic disappearance and presumed death during the Syrian civil war, and the inspiring interfaith work of the monastery's remaining monks and nuns all fascinated me.

— Emily Feng, NPR, 8 July 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

In living organs, however, different cell types must occupy very specific positions.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
Blu Pointe Prime Steak & Seafood and Mercato Italian Kitchen, two separate restaurants, will occupy the former CVS space at 978 Farmington Ave.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

Definition of occupy

Verb

Grantham said he was baffled by Wall Street banks’ recommendations to buy SpaceX for their clients.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 July 2026
Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.

— Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026

Definition of baffle

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“Bemuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemuse. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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