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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of bemused
Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
His facial expressions are often pained or bemused.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Michael Walker, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
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 bemused
Adjective
When the lights finally dimmed 45 minutes later, Safdie took the front of the theater after an affectionate introduction from Sacco, giving a somewhat bemused apology about the delay before diving into his remarks.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
His facial expressions are often pained or bemused.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
Charlton was not bemused by this.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
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 bemused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemused
Adjective
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Russell notes that he was particularly intrigued by his role.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Judy was intrigued, both by the suitcase and the man who gave it to her.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For decades, this has puzzled physicists and engineers alike.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Juarez was overwhelmed and a bit puzzled by some of the responses.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But plenty of people tell of being left dazed and destabilized by ayahuasca ceremonies and struggling to return to their previous lives; some make sudden life changes that only bring distress and further trauma.—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2026
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The slightly dazed look of someone who has just emerged from an eight-hour surgery.—
Matthew Kayser,
Ascend Agency,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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What interested him most about returning to the role was playing those contradictions at once.—
Anushka Halve,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
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What interested me in photographing Chalmers wasn’t capturing the disembodied ideas.—
Dan Turello,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Homeowners and residents are baffled by the attacks upon their beautiful — but otherwise seemingly useless — plants.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Many are calling Belichick’s apparent lack of inclusion a sham or a snub, and even the most reasonable of NFL fans — like Patrick Mahomes — are baffled.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Archaeologists were completely confused.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Your children do not need parents who are confused about the status of their relationship.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In his youth, Mendonça was fascinated by the city’s grand cinema palaces.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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The avant-garde, too, was fascinated by the idea of provoking psychological responses in spectators through art.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bemused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemused. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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