bemuse

be·muse

verb \bi-ˈmyüz, bē-\

Definition of BEMUSE

transitive verb

1

: to make confused : puzzle, bewilder

2

: to occupy the attention of : distract, absorb

3

: to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusement <seems truly bemused that people beyond his circle in Seattle would be interested in his ruminations — Ruth B. Smith>

— be·mus·ed·ly \-ˈmyü-zəd-lē\ adverb

— be·muse·ment \-ˈmyüz-mənt\ noun

Examples of BEMUSE

1. <a public that seemed more bemused by the shenanigans of celebrities than by a war being waged half a world away>
2. <the stage mishap momentarily bemused the actress>

First Known Use of BEMUSE

1735

Related to BEMUSE

Synonyms: absorb, engage, busy, catch up, engross, enthrall (or enthral), enwrap, fascinate, grip, immerse, interest, intrigue, involve, occupy

Related Words: allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess; hypnotize, mesmerize; distract, preoccupy; hog, monopolize

Near Antonyms: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with BEMUSE

abuse, accuse, amuse, Andrews, bad news, berceuse, chanteuse, charmeuse, chartreuse, coiffeuse, confuse, contuse, danseuse, defuse, diffuse, diseuse, disuse, effuse, enthuse, excuse, ill-use, incuse, infuse, masseuse, misuse, perfuse, peruse, recluse, recuse, refuse, reuse, short fuse, suffuse, Toulouse, transfuse, vendeuse