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
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
Kylie — who was also in attendance at the taping, appeared utterly bemused by the life-sized re-creation of her children’s drawing.
—
Toria Sheffield, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
The solemn participation of five presidents, current and former, at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral Thursday might well have bemused, well, Jimmy Carter.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Fans were also asked about having heated seats, eating sushi and drinking prosecco, which bemused many.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
In many of these works, the father figure becomes a representative of masculinity, or old values, or an adult world that bemuses the young son.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bemuse
Toria Sheffield, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
The solemn participation of five presidents, current and former, at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral Thursday might well have bemused, well, Jimmy Carter.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Fans were also asked about having heated seats, eating sushi and drinking prosecco, which bemused many.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
In many of these works, the father figure becomes a representative of masculinity, or old values, or an adult world that bemuses the young son.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bemuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemuse
Verb
-
This is a question that interests Maggie Perkins, a corporate trainer at the company who travels the country to instruct employees in its ways.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
With a limited production of only 200 pairs, each boot features a unique production number sure to interest Harley fans.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nandi is experiencing severe insomnia, tremors and psychosis, and her quickly deteriorating condition bewilders the emergency room staff.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Gelles avoids lionizing Patagonia’s leader, describing Chouinard’s mercurial leadership style that often bewildered his staff at Patagonia.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The results, at the crossroads between fashion and art, intrigued Murakami.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout the development of three seasons of Interview With the Vampire and two seasons of Mayfair Witches, Johnson became intrigued about the organization that kept popping up at pivotal moments in the story yet was never fully explored in Rice's books.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Illston appeared frustrated and perplexed by the government's unwillingness to engage on the merits during the hearing.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The 18 runs plundered off one over was the most Jasprit Bumrah had ever conceded in Tests, leaving the bowler perplexed as he was replaced.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout that time, Frédéric Boucheron was fascinated by the natural world — a passion Poulit‑Duquesne and Choisne continue today, visible in collections featuring feather motifs, fluid forms and other designs.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
It’s set in the early 80s, which is a period that fascinates me.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of the higher-ups felt my title Stairway to Heaven would be confused with the 1939 movie of the same name.—
Cameron Crowe,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Historically, people disguised themselves in mystical and mythical ensembles time of year in order to confuse ghosts and deter them from wreaking havoc; the Celts even carved faces into vegetables to keep the entities away from their food.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hinds immersed himself in art study and spent decades as a teacher, a musician playing African drums and a performer of traditional dance.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
-
One of the main ways Crampton was able to persevere was by using her skills as a chef and immersing herself in nutrition to accelerate her recovery.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was baffled as if there does not appear to be any point of access for an animal the size of a ground hog.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
She was baffled by his sudden enterprise.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bemuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemuse. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share