bemusement
bemusement — noun
1. a mild, often slightly amused feeling of confusion or puzzlement that comes from
a mild, often slightly amused feeling of confusion or puzzlement that comes from not fully understanding something that is unusual, unexpected, or hard to make sense of
Ishaan read the email twice, his face showing clear bemusement at the strange request.
collocation: show/express bemusement
Mia stared at the abstract painting in bemusement, unable to find any familiar shapes.
pattern: in bemusement
The manager's announcement about the new dress code was met with bemusement by the staff.
To Layla's bemusement, every quiz answer she gave earned a laugh from the class.
Marco scratched his head in bemusement when the train pulled in on the wrong platform.
- puzzlement
very close in meaning; bemusement often adds a touch of amusement or surprise
- confusion
broader and can describe stronger mental disorientation; bemusement is milder
- bewilderment
stronger and more intense; suggests being completely lost rather than just mildly puzzled
- perplexity
more formal and suggests deeper, more frustrating confusion
- clarity
the quality of being easy to understand or see clearly
- understanding
the ability to fully comprehend something
文法句型
bemusement + at/about/over [something]
in bemusement
to [one's] bemusement
be met with bemusement
用法筆記
Bemusement describes a milder state of confusion than words like bewilderment or perplexity. It often carries a hint of being slightly amused or surprised by the confusing situation, rather than frustrated by it.