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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bemused
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Over the subsequent stories, Goodman crafts subtle investigations of the relations between siblings, the fine blend of anxiety and pride parents feel for their offspring, and the bemused affection an aunt or uncle might feel for their aimless nieces or haphazard nephews.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2026
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Referee Francois Letexier showed Vinicius Jr a yellow card for his role in what happened, drawing a bemused look from the goalscorer.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Over the subsequent stories, Goodman crafts subtle investigations of the relations between siblings, the fine blend of anxiety and pride parents feel for their offspring, and the bemused affection an aunt or uncle might feel for their aimless nieces or haphazard nephews.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
Bayern’s players were also bemused by the decision not to award a very late spot kick to them for handball.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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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Desmond is wonderful in the part, finding sympathy and just the right amount of bewildered charisma without tipping into caddishness.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Be careful about coming on so strong that others are bewildered or defensive.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He, of course, would be welcomed back and possesses a skill set that NBA teams are intrigued by.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Kohler said he was intrigued by the new study’s finding that methylphenidate can play a preventive role in younger children.—
David Cox,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the 2000 play, now in a Shotgun Players production directed by Kevin Clarke, Martin is puzzled by himself.—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
At first, McCutchen was puzzled.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The boyfriend is dead and Betty helps Laura, relatively unharmed but dazed, back to her house.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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When Sneaky Snook in his mail truck happened upon the wreckage near the boundary of Meredith Downs, sheep were scattered along the roadside and the fence, bleating, dazed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These stories are not only fun to read, but also provide valuable information about ideas that interested early Christians.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The character that interested me was (his alter ego) Norman Osborn.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The decision has baffled Apatow’s team and inner circle.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
-
One administrator told me that he was baffled, but that the embassy staff seemed confident that something would come of it.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Similar safety risks also affect people with dementia, who may become confused or frightened and leave without warning.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2026
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While 2026 is America’s 250th birthday, Chicago’s City Hall could not be more confused about what to do.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Moore was a silent film star who was fascinated by dolls and doll houses as a youngster.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
In the story, a fictional scientist, Dobb, studies personoid theology and is fascinated by their struggles to understand the nature of their creator, leading to their eventual rejection of Dobb as a deity.—
Dimitris Tsementzis,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bemused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemused. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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