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
Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
His facial expressions are often pained or bemused.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
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
When the lights finally dimmed 45 minutes later, Safdie took the front of the theater after an affectionate introduction from Sacco, giving a somewhat bemused apology about the delay before diving into his remarks.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
His facial expressions are often pained or bemused.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
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
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wrenn saw the film Lebrón had in the showcase, was intrigued by the script that won the prize and offered to work with him on the project.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
-
For years, researchers and sport scientists have been intrigued by what could be called the younger sibling effect — the idea that being born later (or last) in a family can increase the likelihood for athletic success.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For decades, this has puzzled physicists and engineers alike.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Juarez was overwhelmed and a bit puzzled by some of the responses.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But plenty of people tell of being left dazed and destabilized by ayahuasca ceremonies and struggling to return to their previous lives; some make sudden life changes that only bring distress and further trauma.—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The slightly dazed look of someone who has just emerged from an eight-hour surgery.—
Matthew Kayser,
Ascend Agency,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Things that interested me as a child, as a teenager and as a young adult still interest me.—
Peter Larsen,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
What interested me from the very start was a certain fundamental clash of cultures that the crime seemed to have exposed.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Homeowners and residents are baffled by the attacks upon their beautiful — but otherwise seemingly useless — plants.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Many are calling Belichick’s apparent lack of inclusion a sham or a snub, and even the most reasonable of NFL fans — like Patrick Mahomes — are baffled.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Archaeologists were completely confused.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Your children do not need parents who are confused about the status of their relationship.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In his youth, Mendonça was fascinated by the city’s grand cinema palaces.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The avant-garde, too, was fascinated by the idea of provoking psychological responses in spectators through art.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bemused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemused. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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