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You tell your friend about a person's funny habit and that person shows it right away without knowing. You tell your friend "See!". You are surprised but you were right. What is the verb for that kind of surprise here? Is "amazed" or "amused" appropriate?

If the habit is not funny but bad or sad, what would be the verb for that kind of surprise?

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Not exactly surprised and amused, but there is a word for puzzled and amused:

bemused (M-W)

bemuse: to cause (someone) to be confused and often also somewhat amused

Does that work for you?


If the habit is bad or sad, you could be shocked

I suspected Dexter killed people, but I was shocked/appalled/horrified/scandalized when I actually saw it.

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  • it's awesome when an SWR actually has an answer!
    – Fattie
    Commented May 23, 2015 at 16:12
  • Heh. "You tell your friend about a person's funny habit and that person shows it right away without knowing." Me: Dexter, I suspect you're killing people. Dexter: What? Me, kill someone? kills someone Me: bemused grin
    – Patrick M
    Commented Feb 10, 2021 at 4:38
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If the surprise is very strong and leaves you in shock, you could say "It was astounding, or if you are speechless for a moment, "I was dumbfound". But I can't think of a single word to express surprised and amused at the same time. A phrase, using the words you mentioned, might work.

It was an amusing/pleasant/delightful surprise. I was amusingly/pleasantly/delightfully surprised.

For other kinds of surprise, use other adjectives/adverbs.

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