bemuse
[ bih-myooz ]
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Part of Speech verb
Origin + Etymology
Mid-18th century; English; from be- (as an intensifier) + muse "absorbed in thought"
Synonyms
    1.
  • amuse charm
    2.
  • bewilder daze muddle perplex
Antonyms
    1.
  • annoy
    2.
  • clarify clear up enlighten explain
Definition
1. to cause to be mildly amused, especially in a detached way
2. to bewilder or confuse
Examples
1. A) The artist's work could bemuse but it couldn't fully entertain or engage with the audience. B) I feel like she tried to bemuse me with her humor, so I rarely know what she actually finds funny.
2. A) He tried not to bemuse her as to his intentions, but the proposal ended up feeling strangely alien. B) The strategy was to bemuse the jury into misundestanding the evidence before them.
Usage Over Time
#educational
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