Bemuse

All the other dictionaries and usage guides maintain that "bemuse" suggests a frown or furrowed brow, not a smile. ❋ Unknown (2008)

What has happened to "bemuse" has happened to a lot of other words: A perfectly good English word that means one thing is co-opted by people who think it means something else. ❋ Unknown (2008)

Australian novelist Christos Tsiolkas goes further, saying that the attacks by some critics on his novel The Slap as being vulgar or pornographic bemuse me as they seem to ignore how much of sexual imagination, particularly male sexual imagination, is now experienced through pornography itself. ❋ Susanna Rustin (2010)

I adapt with relative ease to the people I meet in the new places I visit and inhabit, although certain unwritten social rules continuously bemuse me. ❋ Millie Kerr (2011)

"It's a temporary ban, designed to confuse and bemuse him, and hopefully engender a violent reaction," Morgan says. ❋ Unknown (2011)

The gendered language in this country will never cease to bemuse me. ❋ Unknown (2009)

I do not control the editorial approach of the tabloids, and sometimes stories run in ways that completely bemuse me and are certainly beyond any expectations. ❋ Unknown (2011)

Yet the striker continues to perplex and bemuse in equal measure. ❋ Unknown (2011)

That partly explains the reaction in store for the 27-year-old, though Villa's anger at losing such a valuable asset may bemuse supporters of his current club as they wait for the England international to lead opponents on a merry-dance. ❋ Unknown (2011)

As voted by you, internets, a few observations on differences that amuse/bemuse me. ❋ Karenhealey (2010)

You never fail to amuse and bemuse us with your quirky, awesome and weird nominations. ❋ Unknown (2011)

Northeast Poland is a dreary windswept plain where surly locals drink cheap vodka and bemuse themselves by beating crap out of strangers (I am sketching the quality of nightlife in bars). ❋ Unknown (2010)

Meanwhile, market volatility continues to befuddle and bemuse. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Other critics have been less generous about Nolan's talent to bemuse. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Walt was a wonderful guy, except he had one (well, actually more than one but that's another story) peccadillo that used to bemuse and annoy me. ❋ Unknown (2010)

I also eliminate anyone who used just words or initials (words aren't so bad of course, I'm just being mean, but initials for firms always bemuse me - IBM and a few others aside, of course). ❋ Jonathan (2008)

For some works – an exhibition of Thomas Struth photographs comes to mind – I began to look forward to revisiting particular works each week, to enjoy their charm, to let them bemuse in new ways. ❋ Unknown (2010)

1)[Bemuse] works for the pig pen and [tipped off] the police on his best friend. 2) Jane [bemused] the BS after they talked to her. ❋ The Bomb Squad (2005)

The [specifics] of the [quantum physics] [lecture] bemused him. His unique manner of speaking bemused her. ❋ Buffyfan_5 (2008)

I was first told [one thing] and then totally [bemused] when the opposite [happened]. ❋ Ace4kingAce (2019)

[A look] of bemusement [spread] across their [faces]. ❋ Btpsilveira (2016)

The warm liquid was so [unexpectedly] foul-tasting that she almost [spat] it on to the [dinner table]; it was a real Bemuse Bouche. ❋ Laurab193 (2011)

“I was [bemused] at the tv program; I’m [bemusement] that the person over the is seeking attention; bemusing date/year” I’ve been using this word since before early 1970s, Australia, [Melbourne]. ❋ BittemYum (2019)