bemused 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈmyüzd How to pronounce bemused (audio)
Definition of bemusednext
as in bewildered
suffering from mental confusion new federal regulations that the easily bemused should make no attempt to read and understand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bemused

2 of 2

verb

past tense of bemuse
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

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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

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 bemused
Adjective
Pochettino said with a bemused grin. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 Chuck Leavell, a member of the Allman Brothers from 1972 to 1976 and lifelong ambassador of their music, recalls learning about the unlikely union with a bemused expression. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Verb
Herrington, once bemused by how cultlike the principles seemed, now views them as an indispensable guide for culture at Amazon—and one that’s stood the test of time and will continue to do so. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 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
  1. bewildered
  2. intrigued
  3. puzzled
  4. dazed
  5. interested
  6. baffled
  7. confused
  8. fascinated
Adjective
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Darren Foote, a fellow veteran who helped organize the festivities, told the BBC that Filer was somewhat bewildered by all the attention.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • The six-episode thriller paints an eerie image of small-town life in Newfoundland, and viewers are intrigued by the mystique of the striking Canadian backdrop.
    — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Both Heder and Madeley were intrigued by the juxtaposition of Heumann’s desire for movement with her paralysis forcing her to be still.
    — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of intrigued
Verb
  • The existence of supermassive black holes before the universe was even 1 billion years old is something that has puzzled astronomers since the JWST started spotting them in 2022.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • All day on Sunday, there seemed to be a back-and-forth of praise from the right, and puzzled outrage on the left.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of puzzled
Adjective
  • But the man simply stood there with a dazed expression on his face, swaying gently in the living room of their small, cramped flat, like a lone tree in the breeze.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Laiken Randolph appeared dazed, and possibly on drugs, officers remarked.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of dazed
Verb
  • What interested me most was the psychic cost of doing this work day in and day out.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Someone interested primarily in direct one-to-one dating may place less value on its community emphasis.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of interested
Verb
  • However, having gone through this first season, many are now baffled as to how the algorithm works.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But, about eight days before the election, when Acker heard that Stevens was thinking about switching her endorsement from El-Sayed to the Republican Senate candidate, Mike Rogers, he was baffled.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of baffled
Adjective
  • The Dolphins’ secondary appeared confused and unprepared for Maye’s throws, which were pinpoint accurate.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The ones who were looked confused but kindly dropped candy into our bags.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of confused
Verb
  • Marcin Kierwiński, Poland's interior minister, said there were indications the suspect was fascinated by far-right ideology, according to Reuters.
    — Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Was that something that that fascinated you, creating a story where the main characters don’t actually understand each other?
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of fascinated

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Cite this Entry

“Bemused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemused. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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