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Preposition after adjective

bemused by or bemused at?

Both bemused by and bemused at are used in English. By is more common for the cause of confusion, while at often emphasises reaction.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows bemused?

Use bemused by for the thing causing confusion or mild amusement: bemused by the instructions. Bemused at is also natural, especially when reacting to behaviour or a situation.

She looked bemused by the complicated map.
He seemed bemused at their sudden silence.
The audience was bemused by the ending.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
bemused by + thing

Naming the cause of confusion

Use by with objects, events, or information that create confusion or puzzlement.

We were bemused by the strange message.
2
bemused at + behaviour

Reacting to a situation

Use at to emphasise someone's reaction to what they observe.

She sounded bemused at his question.
3
bemused by + clause

Explaining a confusing action or event

By can be followed by a noun phrase containing a clause or description.

They were bemused by the way the machine worked.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
bemused by
I was bemused by the instructions.
Focuses on the source of confusion or puzzlement.
bemused at
She seemed bemused at his reaction.
Focuses on someone's response to a situation.
bemused with
Bemused with is uncommon and usually avoided in this meaning.
Not a standard modern pattern for this adjective.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using a nonstandard preposition

By and at are the natural choices after bemused.

✕ They were bemused with the announcement. ✓ They were bemused by the announcement.

Confusing bemused with amused

Bemused usually suggests confusion, not simple enjoyment.

✕ She was bemused by the comedy and laughed all night. ✓ She was amused by the comedy and laughed all night.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We were bemused ___ the unclear directions.
2. He looked bemused ___ their argument.
3. Choose the most natural sentence.

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Frequently asked questions

What does bemused mean?

It usually means confused, puzzled, or mildly amused in a thoughtful way.

Is bemused at correct?

Yes. It is used when reacting to something surprising or puzzling.

Can bemused mean amused?

Some speakers use it that way, but the core meaning still involves confusion or puzzlement.

bad, for, bad, of baffling to, for, in, as or of? bankrupt in, by, for, as or with? "barefoot in" or "barefoot on"? "bare of", "bare with" or "bare in"? "basic of" or "basic to"? beautiful in, with, on, for or to? beholden to, for or on? "beloved by", "beloved to" or "beloved of"? "beneficial to" or "beneficial for"? bereft of, at, by, in or without? bewildered by, at, as, with or in?

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