Some writers are often accused
Of conflating amused and bemused
The first makes you smile
(it’s close to beguile)
While the latter usually means you’re confused
The initial meaning of bemuse (and the one that is strongly preferred by many usage guides) is “to make confused.” However, this word is found used by some writers in other ways, such as “to occupy the attention of,” and “to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusement.” This latter sense is likely influenced by the word’s similarity to amuse. And in case you weren’t bemused enough already, amuse previously was commonly used in the senses of “bewilder,” “bemuse,” and “absorb.” The most common senses of amuse today are “to entertain or occupy in a light, playful, or pleasant manner” and “to appeal to the sense of humor of.”