as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
an expression of utter bemusement
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Recent Examples of bemusement
While not a good show by any stretch of the imagination — and there are many stretches to be made here — the Netflix series does manage to conjure so-bad-its-good bemusement.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 June 2026
The Professional can certainly be understood as a nonlinear narrative of an artist on the peripheries of music, navigating a world far from home with equal parts amusement and bemusement.
—Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
To friends and strangers alike, our unusual authorly posture—two spouses, both with academic backgrounds but neither presently working in academia, teaming up to write a trade book on a literary subject—is a source of bemusement.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Originally greeted with bemusement, Pratt is now upending the race with early voting underway ahead of the June 2 election.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 13 May 2026
He was given considerable access to the behind-the-scenes activities of the show’s production and to many of its stars and staff, none of whom have much to say beyond expressing bemusement at some of Michaels’ personal quirks and habits or praise for his taste in comedy.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
For all those reasons, there has been bemusement at Everton in the past over his relative lack of England recognition.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
His newfound fame has proven to be a great source of both bemusement and validation for Cowan, who has been honing his craft in the background for years.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Americans have been watching with bemusement the goings-on in New York City, where a new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is promising democratic socialist policies including a plan to open city-run grocery stores.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 June 2026
The Professional can certainly be understood as a nonlinear narrative of an artist on the peripheries of music, navigating a world far from home with equal parts amusement and bemusement.
—Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
To friends and strangers alike, our unusual authorly posture—two spouses, both with academic backgrounds but neither presently working in academia, teaming up to write a trade book on a literary subject—is a source of bemusement.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Originally greeted with bemusement, Pratt is now upending the race with early voting underway ahead of the June 2 election.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 13 May 2026
He was given considerable access to the behind-the-scenes activities of the show’s production and to many of its stars and staff, none of whom have much to say beyond expressing bemusement at some of Michaels’ personal quirks and habits or praise for his taste in comedy.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
For all those reasons, there has been bemusement at Everton in the past over his relative lack of England recognition.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
His newfound fame has proven to be a great source of both bemusement and validation for Cowan, who has been honing his craft in the background for years.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Americans have been watching with bemusement the goings-on in New York City, where a new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is promising democratic socialist policies including a plan to open city-run grocery stores.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemusement
Noun
-
If your title feels vague, create a one‑line summary and use it consistently in messages so your contributions land without confusion.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
State election officials and county administrators have warned that the conflicting instructions could create confusion for local election offices and potentially invite litigation if the issue is not resolved before voting begins.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
-
Blackened with volcanic rock and encircled by towering waves, the tumultuous scenery makes a vivid psychic landscape for So Help Me God, a rambling spell of ’70s-era soul and exuberant orchestral folk-pop that sweeps through the fog of heartbreak and the clarity of self-discovery.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Suzanna waits for hours in the bank’s vestibule—that practical but indeterminate space shielding the true interior from the intemperate outdoors—much to the bewilderment of the young security guard perched on a stool nearby.—
Laura Miller,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
-
Her expressions of bewilderment were easy to see.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Internally, the Bulls coaching staff has reached a point of bafflement with the forward.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bemusement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemusement. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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