variants
also nonplused
as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
the self-possessed actress seemed uncharacteristically nonplussed after the director's harsh appraisal of her performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also nonplused
as in embarrassed
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
I was nonplussed by his openly expressed admiration of me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonplussed
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Madison got her own pole at home for dance practice—installed by her somewhat nonplussed, but very supportive father.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
So much so that Young is nonplussed about her innermost thoughts blasting from the radio.
—Mike Wass, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025
Partly to dispel the uncharacteristically nonplussed expression on his friend’s face, Thadeus says, with some humor, There is no family.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Adjective
Audience and industry seem relatively nonplussed about this, more concerned with the questions of authenticity raised by tributary vocal delivery.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Madison got her own pole at home for dance practice—installed by her somewhat nonplussed, but very supportive father.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
So much so that Young is nonplussed about her innermost thoughts blasting from the radio.
—Mike Wass, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025
Partly to dispel the uncharacteristically nonplussed expression on his friend’s face, Thadeus says, with some humor, There is no family.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
-
Unlike last week — or most others this season, come to think of it — no one totally nails it, nor really expects to (… except for Massimo, who’s clearly perplexed when his mussel-and-clam pie ends up in the safe middle).—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The aim is to answer the question that has long perplexed scientists: was Mars once habitable?—
Jonathan O’Callaghan,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The actor—who is also currently filming season three of Euphoria—took the time to walk the wide-eyed and probably quite bewildered pup around the carpeted front of the hotel, and looked chic doing it.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 May 2025
-
Heyman then handed the chair to a bewildered Roman Reigns, who used it to strike downed CM Punk.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.—
Eric Francisco,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The Ice Age mammals, which should not be confused with the larger woolly mammoths, seemed to have an had an affinity for Orange County, where this one — and about a third of the state’s total — have been found.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Snorting, grunting, and other strange noses The parents of Bauer’s patients often demonstrate the weird noises their kids make—all in the name of helping their embarrassed children.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 May 2025
-
No 37-win team should’ve been in the position to get embarrassed to this degree, which is what the current format allows.—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But the actress, singer, and daughter of French pop legend Serge Gainsbourg is great here, simultaneously elegant and flustered.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Apr. 2025
-
When that line is blurry, many leaders get overwhelmed and flustered.—
Maria Ross,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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