bemuse 1 of 3

verb (1)

bi-ˈmyüz How to pronounce bemuse (audio)
Definition of bemusenext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty the stage mishap momentarily bemused the actress

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bemused

2 of 3

adjective

bi-ˈmyüzd How to pronounce bemused (audio)
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bemused

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

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

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 bemuse
Verb
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
Adjective
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 Then came the World Cup, and for a month, a curious if somewhat bemused country sampled the world’s game up close. — Los Angeles Times, 7 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 bemuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemuse
  1. interest
  2. bewilder
  3. intrigue
  4. perplex
  5. fascinate
  6. confuse
  7. occupy
  8. baffle
Verb
  • Pushing Content That Doesn’t Interest The Audience New marketers often lead social posts with company news, product features or promotional content without considering what interests their audience.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The Reds have several players under team control beyond this season who could interest other teams, like outfielder JJ Bleday and infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer, but for now, at least, the team seems to be concentrating on moving rentals.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of interest
Verb
  • As fans of the comedian know, Ali G is a streetwise interviewer whose hip hop slang often bewilders guests such as Noam Chomsky, Andy Rooney and Newt Gingrich.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 7 July 2026
  • But these casting decisions are bewildering, to say the least, and will certainly cost the film ticket sales and potential revenue.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of bewilder
Verb
  • So, if you’re intrigued by the potential and plant support stakes provide, here are eight plants worth staking starting this summer and beyond.
    — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 18 July 2026
  • He was intrigued by the new space company and saw an opportunity to help build the future of spaceflight.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of intrigue
Verb
  • Workers at Doherty Staffing Solutions were perplexed when strangers started calling the office in response to recruitment texts — texts the firm never sent.
    — Bill Lukitsch, Boston Herald, 13 July 2026
  • The Wiener Kitchen diners weren’t the only Kansas Citians perplexed by this description.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of perplex
Verb
  • But the skillful way in which they are woven together belies the efforts that went into telling this story, and Lovely Reader, this dedication to quality fascinates me.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Academics have long been fascinated by Messi’s behaviour, particularly his cognitive skills.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of fascinate
Verb
  • The Blazers say a handshake agreement with Mayor Keith Wilson, the city and the county was made in March, and are confused why there has been a shift.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The figure who experiences every prompt to begin the process as a threat rather than a relief has confused the cause with the self.
    — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • That convergence is drawing together businesses that once occupied separate corners of the market, from consumer staples companies selling food to biotech firms developing medicines and veterinary providers offering increasingly sophisticated care.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • Swanson was occupied with the training staff after the game and was unavailable for comment.
    — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, McGrew agreed to adjustments, including adding baffles to reduce sound from a attached generator for the tower and replacing tower fencing that incorporated barbed wire with taller, more natural looking fencing.
    — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of baffle

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Cite this Entry

“Bemuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemuse. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bemuse for Spanish Speakers

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