What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bemused
Example
She had a bemused expression on her face as she tried to understand the joke. [bemused: adjective]
Example
He sat in the park, bemused by the beauty of nature. [bemused: verb]
perplexed
Example
I was perplexed by the math problem and couldn't figure out the solution. [perplexed: adjective]
Example
The sudden change in plans left me feeling perplexed and unsure of what to do. [perplexed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Perplexed is more commonly used than bemused in everyday language. Perplexed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while bemused is less common and tends to be used in more informal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bemused and perplexed?
While bemused is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, perplexed is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
