View synonyms for

bemuse

[ bih-myooz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

bemused, bemusing.

to bewilder or confuse.
to preoccupy; engross.
to cause to be mildly amused, especially in a detached way:
Apparently bemused by his critics, he floated above the clamor surrounding the campaign.

bemuse

/ ��ɪˈ��ː�� /

verb

tr to confuse; bewilder

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Confusables Note

The verb bemuse (usually as the adjective bemused ) is similar in sound to amuse , and has in fact taken on the meaning "to cause to be mildly amused." Many usage experts and traditionalists consider this a misuse of bemuse , pointing out that its proper meaning is “to bewilder or confuse.” However, the history and use of bemuse has shown that its meaning is often ambiguous. It's often the case that one's feelings are a combination of bewilderment and amusement: Their customs bemuse most Americans. Even when it clearly means "to bewilder or confuse," bemuse usually retains a lighthearted tone: one would not typically say: I was bemused by his motive for the murder.

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Derived Forms

��ˈ��ܲ��Բ�, adjective
��ˈ��ܲ��𳾱�Գ�, noun

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Other Word Forms

��·��ܲ��m��Գ� noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bemuse¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; be- + muse

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Superstar Brazil footballer Neymar looked bemused, caught in the middle of a face-off as the pair hurled abuse at each other.

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Another defeat, another tournament gone, and another head-in-hands moment in the bemusing collapse of this iconic Manchester City team.

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Speaking on the red carpet at last weekend's Bafta Awards, Norton, 39, described the speculation around him becoming Bond as "so weird and bemusing" yet "fun".

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The advert sees Keoghan, depicting his Banshees character Dominic Kearney, riding a donkey that is meandering along on a path in rural Ireland while he tosses laptops out of a satchel to bemused islanders.

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I was both mortified and bemused, curious about who would pay good money to spread such obvious nonsense.

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Related Words

bemuddle bemused

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