bemused

adjective

be·mused bi-ˈmyüzd

bē-

Synonyms of bemused next

: marked by confusion or bewilderment : dazed

… he was fumbling with the sheets, and looking down at them with a slightly bemused expression as though the stuff before him was in a foreign language …—

Robert Penn Warren

: lost in thought or reverie

… as distant and bemused as a Professor Emeritus listening to the prattling of his freshman class.—

Michael Straight

: having or showing feelings of wry amusement especially from something that is surprising or perplexing

This is not another of those now popular books about a bemused outsider's sojourn in rural France, brimming with colorful locals and heart-warming anecdotes.—

J. D. McClatchy

bemusedly

bi-ˈmyü-zəd-lē

bē-

adverb

Harry looked bemusedly at the photograph Colin was brandishing under his nose. —

J. K. Rowling

Examples of bemused in a Sentence

new federal regulations that the easily bemused should make no attempt to read and understand

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Beatles themselves can only offer bemused waves and baffled chuckles. —

Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 Russian drone operators noticed the cyclist leading a BMP infantry fighting vehicle—and posted a recording of their drone feed online, along with their bemused commentary. —

David Axe, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 On the flip side, while Denzel Washington is getting Best Supporting Actor buzz for Gladiator, the reviews for the film have been all over the place, from genuine positivity to bemused hand-waving to general annoyance. —

Joe Reid, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024 Claims in the Spanish media that Newcastle made a €30million bid for Ferran Torres, the Barcelona forward, bemused club officials. —

James McNicholas, The Athletic, 29 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for bemused