as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
an expression of utter bemusement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of bemusement
Trump reacted Wednesday with a degree of bemusement.
—
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The ball caromed to the backstop and Andy Pages scored as Pedro Pages looked around in bemusement.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The ball caromed to the backstop and Andy Pages scored as Pedro Pages looked around in bemusement.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bemusement
Noun
-
The 30-hour search for a suspect Across the country, the killing of the prominent political figure and media personality – the latest in a string of political violence incidents – had sowed shock and confusion.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In one notable instance, antipathy toward business has led to confusion and unnecessary tension.—
Kerry Jackson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Citations for not having headlights on during rain, fog or smoke and for not wearing a seatbelt were also dismissed.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In the summer of 2025, the Faroes experienced a heat wave of sorts, with temperatures up to the low twenties (Celsius) and several days of almost no rain and fog only in the morning.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Pan’s final pages are a kaleidoscope of phantasmagoria and philosophic bewilderment, a refusal of closure and clarity that is seemingly—and fittingly—designed to give readers a heavy dose of, to use the clinical term, derealization.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
-
When that turned into mass annihilation, the most frequent Israeli excuse was the population’s state of shock, trauma, exhaustion and bewilderment, the sensation of being under threat from outsiders and in imminent danger.—
Uriel Kon
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are black-and-white scenes from what appears to be a cracked Biblical drama featuring a levitating monk and, to the particular bafflement of the producer, a dancing Pulcinella.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
-
If the book’s prismatic structure and subjective immediacy feel baffling to encounter, that is because bafflement is the point.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bemusement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bemusement. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share