bemuse

[ bih-myooz ]

verb (used with object)

, be·mused, be·mus·ing.

1. to bewilder or confuse.
2. to preoccupy; engross.
3. 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

/ bɪˈmjuːz /

verb

1. tr to confuse; bewilder

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.

Derived Forms

• beˈmusing, adjective
• beˈmusement, noun

Other Words From

• be·musement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bemuse¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; be- + muse

Example Sentences

I asked, determined not to allow her to bemuse or escape me with her metaphysical talk and illustrations.

From Project Gutenberg

Most of these were of the opiate class, light magazines and light stories intended to bemuse and not to educate the mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Hunger does not necessarily help the understanding; it may bemuse it by passion and resentment.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amaze
• bewilder
• daze
• muddle
• perplex
• puzzle
• stun
• stupefy