as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion
new federal regulations that the easily bemused should make no attempt to read and understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in intrigued
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the stage mishap momentarily bemused the actress
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bemused
Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025
In the short video, Alec, 67, sits bemused in a chair until his wife props first one and then both legs onto his lap.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 31 July 2025
Michael Walker, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bemused
Adjective
With his brow perennially furrowed and hair slicked with sweat, Riley has the exact look and bearing of a suavely addled wrong-man figure from British thrillers of yore — and thus makes a suitably bemused proxy for the viewers in this wasteland of mounting chaos and absurdity.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025
In the short video, Alec, 67, sits bemused in a chair until his wife props first one and then both legs onto his lap.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
Charlton was not bemused by this.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bemused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemused
Adjective
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Wounded and bewildered, Theresa vows—silently—never to have that feeling again, never to be at anyone else’s mercy.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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As Friday’s stabbing incident involving NFL alum Mark Sanchez slowly comes into focus, the team at Fox Sports seems to be just as bewildered as the rest of us.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There, she becomes intrigued by Malaise (Bajrami), a charming young shopgirl for whom Angine is willing to defy the prohibition of kissing.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
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Boucher has always intrigued due to his length and ability to shoot from downtown.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As my children both turned toward me, puzzled at my silence, the last three decades unfurled.—
Sofía Pereda,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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How asteroids get their spin In recent decades, astronomers have been puzzled by why some asteroids rotate like spinning tops while others tumble through space in chaotic, unpredictable ways.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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When Ron takes a seat, the chair falls out from under him and breaks, leaving him dazed and sprawled on the floor.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
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Philadelphia’s defense seemed dazed and ill-prepared for Dart’s precision, composure and dual-threat ability.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tommaso di Lampedusa’s novel, which looks at the unification of Italy from the perspective of a 20th-century writer, had a modernity that interested me.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
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Since his death more than two hundred years ago, Christophe’s tragic story has interested a broad array of playwrights, artists, novelists, and filmmakers across the world.—
Marlene L. Daut
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This isn’t the first time the value of a thrift store find has left the internet baffled.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Officers were apparently confused.—
Aida Alami,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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One of the artists looked at me a little confused.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The missing bust had fascinated me since my own visit to Morrison’s grave in December of 1988.—
David Kushner,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
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Not only this, but fascinated by the sundials and time-telling monuments inside the course, Hovland reportedly skipped swing practice to soak in the heritage.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bemused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemused. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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