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bemusedly

bemusedly

1 7.0
In a puzzled and a little amused way as if lost in thought
  • adverb
  • /bɪˈmjuːzɪdli/
translation icon : perplejamente
  • "Did anybody notice that the packbeasts are missing?" he asked, bemusedly.
  • looked bemusedly
  • watches bemusedly
  • stared bemusedly

Examples

  • I felt like everyone would be staring at me bemusedly.

    Blog text (14)
  • He looked at me, bemusedly.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • CUT TO: David watching bemusedly some way off.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "Me, thinking to myself a little bemusedly: ... so what?

    Blog text (15)
  • " She stared at him bemusedly.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I turned to Jamie, who was staring bemusedly into his undrunk cup of tea.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Lincoln looks bemusedly around.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The Dude opens the briefcase and paws bemusedly through it as the car starts rolling.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • And so I waited, bemusedly, as Nineteen Eighty-Four's Frank Borelli.

    Blog text (32)
  • Jack looked at her bemusedly, unable to understand what she meant.

Synonyms

quizzically
vsbemusedly
4 6.8

In a way that shows mild amusement and confusion

is confused but more often lost in thought than curious
dazedly
vsbemusedly
1 7.1

As if confused and not fully aware

is more like gentle confusion with mild amusement or being absent
perplexedly
vsbemusedly
7.4

In a confused way, not sure what is happening

leans toward mild amusement or being lost in thought instead
puzzledly
vsbemusedly
7.8

In a confused way when someone does not understand

focuses more on mild amusement or a dreamy absent state
bewilderedly
vsbemusedly
7.1

In a confused way when you do not understand something

tends to be milder and includes mild amusement or dreamy thought
confoundedly
vsbemusedly
  • Archaic
9.2

In a way that shows strong annoyance or surprise

is milder and often shows mild amusement or dreamy distraction

Antonyms

1 4.0

In a clear, simple way that others can understand

How Confused

confusedly
1 4.0
bemusedly
1 7.0
uncertainly
11 4.0

Surface Forms

bemusedly positive

Morphology

bemusedly = bemused (semi-transparent) = be + muse + ed + ly

The adverb is formed by adding the productive suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'bemused', a direct and regular process.

Etymology

The word bemusedly comes from the be- part plus muse, where muse means 'to think' or 'be lost in thought'. So, to look bemusedly is to look a little puzzled or quietly amused, as if your mind is somewhere else.