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
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Wallis said he was disappointed about the switch and a little bemused since he’s used to cold at home.
—Michelle L. Price and Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Hearing his sentence, Mr. Trump – just over a week away from his inauguration – appeared bemused and defiant, delivering a five-minute address to the court before the judge handed down his sentence.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan. 2025
Mike Piazza still seems bemused by the twists of fate in 1998 and beyond that have turned him into a franchise icon.
—Jerry Beach, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bemused
Adjective
Seated in the front row, Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, was seen sporting a bemused smile as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., peppered her husband with questions.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Wallis said he was disappointed about the switch and a little bemused since he’s used to cold at home.
—Michelle L. Price and Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Hearing his sentence, Mr. Trump – just over a week away from his inauguration – appeared bemused and defiant, delivering a five-minute address to the court before the judge handed down his sentence.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan. 2025
Mike Piazza still seems bemused by the twists of fate in 1998 and beyond that have turned him into a franchise icon.
—Jerry Beach, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bemused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemused
Adjective
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More than a year later, the campus remains in a state of bewildered unease.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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But for many bewildered observers, both explanations for Trump’s extraordinary pivot to the Kremlin seem equally misplaced.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The findings intrigued physicist Richard Taylor of the University of Oregon, whose work over the last 20 years includes analyzing fractal patterns in the paintings of Jackson Pollock.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
30 Dec. 2024
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As a bourbon reviewer who enjoys the flavor of spirits but has always been easily prone to hangovers, Eric Burke was intrigued.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Three eyewitnesses spoke of coming upon a dazed Pino clinging to the hull of his overturned boat, Lucy’s body trapped underneath.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
-
After this, the responsibilities of playing Bush fell to Hammond and later Will Forte, who fit the character more into his own image of a silly little boy in a man’s body rather than re-enact Ferrell’s dazed and confused moron shtick.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The broadcast then cut to Berry looking slightly confused and wiping her lips, prompting criticism for Brody kissing Berry without consent.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
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Things seem out of alignment, from confused brand names, dates and products to upsets creating conflict and negativity, impacting customer appeal.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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What fascinated me about the book is how everybody is part of this drive that this woman had.—
Adam Moss,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2024
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As a young child, Johnson was fascinated by books.—
Calvin Tomkins,
The New Yorker,
9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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That slides into the date previously occupied by Matt Reeves The Batman sequel, which is currently untitled.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Dec. 2024
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The century-old watchmaker stopped operations when the Soviets occupied East Germany post-WWII.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This is particularly important in distracted driving cases—showing data usage doesn't necessarily prove someone was actively using their phone.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Franco is simpering when he wasn’t distracted, and while Hathaway brings a bit of spirit, most of her lines are only half-funny.—
Bill Wyman,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In another photo, the trio of ladies were immersed in conversation, as was Chalamet, and all four stars were smiling.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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Some tea bags release billions of tiny plastic particles when immersed in hot water, creating tea that can harm your health and increase your risk of cancer—but not all tea is equally as dangerous.—
Hatty Willmoth,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bemused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemused. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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