bemuse

bemuse

verb

Definition of BEMUSE

1

to hold the attention of <a public that seemed more bemused by the shenanigans of celebrities than by a war being waged half a world away>

Synonyms absorb, bemuse, 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

2

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty <the stage mishap momentarily bemused the actress>

Synonyms addle, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex

Related Words stick, stump, weird out; abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle; agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset; beguile, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, humbug, misguide, mislead, snow, string along, take in, trick

Near Antonyms assure, reassure, satisfy; enlighten, inform