Synonyms of bemuse

bemuse

verb

bi-ˈmyüz 

1

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

• interest
• intrigue
• fascinate
• occupy
• immerse
• involve
• busy
• attract
• engross
• enthrall
• engage
• grip
• distract
• absorb
• enchant
• enwrap
• preoccupy
• captivate
• catch up
• bewitch
• mesmerize
• beguile
• obsess
• charm
• catch one's eye
• hypnotize
• allure
• monopolize
• hog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade

2

as in to bewilder

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty

the stage mishap momentarily bemused the actress

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bewilder
• perplex
• confuse
• baffle
• puzzle
• befuddle
• mystify
• embarrass
• confound
• discombobulate
• flummox
• vex
• disorient
• bother
• stun
• bamboozle
• fuddle
• fluster
• muddle
• disturb
• rattle
• pose
• befog
• maze
• addle
• upset
• fox
• muddy
• buffalo
• unsettle
• gravel
• get
• beat
• disconcert
• discomfit
• blow one's mind
• nonplus
• mortify
• faze
• deceive
• stick
• agitate
• distress
• abash
• stump
• mislead
• go to one's head
• delude
• dismay
• perturb
• discomfort
• discountenance
• disquiet
• beguile
• unhinge
• discompose
• chagrin
• fool
• weird out
• misguide
• hoodwink
• trick
• humbug
• cozen
• dupe
• hoax
• gull
• snow
• take in
• string along

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assure
• satisfy
• inform
• reassure
• enlighten

Example Sentences

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

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