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

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

And that the practice of science was something that really interested me.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Certain details, such as a lost footnote that only exists in a single edition of the volume as a handwritten addendum, interest him greatly.

— Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of interest

Verb

Dan emerges as Primetime’s unlikely heart, bewildered by the dark world he’s wandered into and left to negotiate his ambitions with the high stakes of the job.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
That’s a common sentiment from a touring superstar, but there’s a sense that Kahan really might be as happily bewildered as the rest of us about how songs this personal and cloudy came to captivate even sunny California.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

While Peta protests at fashion week are nothing new, many were perplexed by the idea that wool should be removed from the supply chain.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026
Nearly everyone outside Michigan was perplexed, or downright angry, about the outcome.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

So that fascinated me, the fact that these fields were somehow kind of edgy in terms of our definition of the scientific method and so on.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
What fascinates me most isn't simply whether Wagner can squeeze 621 miles out of this massive battery.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

But the decision left many in the football community confused, with an online petition started by alumnus Tim Hanrahan garnering more than 3,000 signatures.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
This is where things get messy, and many folks — oligarchs in particular — become invested in keeping the general voter confused.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

While the ceasefire halted the heaviest fighting and humanitarian conditions have improved, the Israeli military has expanded its control of Gaza and now occupies some 60% of the territory.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
American Supercritical says its system occupies about one-tenth the space of a steam system.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of occupy

Verb

Her home isn’t in the highway’s path, but she was still baffled by council’s decision.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffle

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bemoans

bemuse

bemused

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“Bemuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemuse. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bemuse

verb

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