as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
an expression of utter bemusement
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Recent Examples of bemusement
At one point, Gwen prays to Jesus for help, much to the bemusement (and adoration) of Ernesto.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But Lee is the kind of crusader who inspires more bemusement than admiration from those around him.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Apatow tells the story of walking into Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment circa 1983 and seeing the bemusement on Seinfeld’s face.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Earlier, the president reacted with a degree of bemusement.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
The ball caromed to the backstop and Andy Pages scored as Pedro Pages looked around in bemusement.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But Lee is the kind of crusader who inspires more bemusement than admiration from those around him.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Apatow tells the story of walking into Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment circa 1983 and seeing the bemusement on Seinfeld’s face.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Earlier, the president reacted with a degree of bemusement.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
The ball caromed to the backstop and Andy Pages scored as Pedro Pages looked around in bemusement.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemusement
Noun
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The abrupt departure stunned the crowd, prompting confusion both in the audience and among his bandmates.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
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Teddy’s reasoning is a confusion of save-the-world alarmism, garden-variety derangement, unhealed trauma, and single-minded revenge.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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About 15 miles away, a National Geographic cruise ship carrying around 150 passengers and crew started to move backward, pulled by suddenly shifting currents through an eerie fog.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Patchy dense fog will result in sudden changes in visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In a marked contrast to the undisguised anger, bitter satire, and clear-eyed analysis of his colleagues, bewilderment became the theme of his monologue.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
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Other residents in the neighborhood have expressed their bewilderment over the incident.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There are black-and-white scenes from what appears to be a cracked Biblical drama featuring a levitating monk and, to the particular bafflement of the producer, a dancing Pulcinella.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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If the book’s prismatic structure and subjective immediacy feel baffling to encounter, that is because bafflement is the point.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bemusement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemusement. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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