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Are amused and bemused synonyms?
Many people link bemused with amused, believing that the former word carries the meaning “amused, with a touch of something else.” While this was not its original sense, bemused has been used in such a fashion for long enough, and by enough people, that the meaning “having feelings of wry amusement especially from something that is surprising or perplexing" has become established. You may use bemuse in this fashion if you wish, but bear in mind that some people find it objectionable, insisting that bemused and amused are entirely distinct and that bemused properly means “marked by confusion or bewilderment.” It is worth noting that before bemused indicated confusion it had the meaning (especially among poets) “devoted to the Muses.”
Examples of amuse in a Sentence
Guy Martin, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
After asking him to repeat his request, Scott, amused but also now genuinely curious, inquired as to why, exactly, Thomas wanted one gigantic truck tire.
—Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
While such sight gags amuse, the movie is so wedded to its genre that no part of it seems rooted in reality.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
Meester looked amused by her husband at the Shazam!
—Brendan Le, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amuse
Cite this Entry
“Amuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amuse. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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amuse
verb
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