<header class="entry-header"><h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">Amuse vs. Bemuse</h1>
<p class="entry-meta"><time class="entry-time" itemprop="datePublished" datetime="2017-08-10T08:01:43+00:00">August 10, 2017</time> - </p></header><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text"><p>The word <strong>bemuse</strong> is often misused to mean <strong>amuse</strong>
and this kind of confusion is commonplace among English writers.
Despite their similar “muse” spelling and sound, these two terms
actually have quite opposite meanings. This post will discuss the
differences between <strong>amuse</strong> and <strong>bemuse</strong> to help you avoid this confusion in the future.</p>
<p>The term <strong>amuse</strong> is used as a verb denoting “to cause
someone to find something funny” or “to provide interesting and
enjoyable occupation for someone.”</p>
<blockquote><p>‘These rules amuse me’: Conor McGregor suits up for feisty Floyd Mayweather press event, vowing to knock out champion<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2017/07/12/conor-mcgregor-suits-feisty-floyd-mayweather-press-event-vowing/">The Telegraph</a></p>
<p>Alberto Moreno caught trying to amuse himself during drab first half against Southampton<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/07/alberto-moreno-caught-trying-to-amuse-himself-during-drab-first-half-against-southampton-6621093/">Metro</a></p>
<p>Comedian seeks to amuse with fake Windsor news<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/comedian-seeks-to-amuse-with-fake-windsor-news">Windsor Star</a></p></blockquote>
<p>When written as <strong>amused</strong>, it is used as an adjective meaning “pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted” or “displaying amusement.”</p>
<blockquote><p>Draymond Green has a message for Celtics after Isaiah Thomas defends ‘dirty’ Olynyk<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/draymond-green-has-a-message-for-celtics-after-isaiah-thomas-defends-dirty-olynyk/">CBS Sports</a></p>
<p>EVM tampering: Twitterati not amused with AAP’s demo on how EVMs can be ‘manipulated’<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/delhi-assembly-aap-saurabh-bharadwaj-demonstrate-how-evms-can-be-manipulated-twitter-reactions-4648113/">The Indian Express</a></p>
<p>Twitter Users Are Not Amused By This Brand’s ‘Refugee Dress’<br>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.glamour.com/story/uzi-nyc-refugee-dress-twitter-controversy">Glamour</a></p></blockquote>
<p>On the other hand, <strong>bemuse</strong> is a verb used to mean “to puzzle, confuse, or bewilder someone.”</p>
<blockquote><p>Grammar Moses: I hope this column amuses, but does not bemuse, you<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170401/news/170409910/">Chicago Daily Herald</a></p>
<p>Kanye West bemuses fans by shutting social media accounts<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/article/Kanye-West-bemuses-fans-by-shutting-social-media-accounts-1dd0e63f-38bf-4676-8c8d-8a39e5bb0eda-ds">News & Star</a></p>
<p>Selfridges bemuse shoppers opening Christmas shop 147 days early<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/retail/selfridges-bemuse-shoppers-opening-christmas-shop-147-days-early-1-4518691">The Scotsman</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Now that the difference between <strong>amuse</strong> and <strong>bemuse</strong> has been discussed, you may now avoid mixups between these words. Remember that you may only use the word <strong>bemuse</strong> if you are using it the way you would use <strong>befuddled</strong>, <strong>confused</strong> or <strong>baffled</strong>. Other than that, it would be safer to use <strong>amuse</strong> in your sentence, especially if you mean something is entertaining or interesting.</p>
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