nonplus

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb nonplus differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nonplus are bewilder, confound, distract, dumbfound, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Where would bewilder be a reasonable alternative to nonplus?

While the synonyms bewilder and nonplus are close in meaning, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

In what contexts can confound take the place of nonplus?

While in some cases nearly identical to nonplus, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When could distract be used to replace nonplus?

The words distract and nonplus are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When would dumbfound be a good substitute for nonplus?

Although the words dumbfound and nonplus have much in common, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When is it sensible to use perplex instead of nonplus?

The synonyms perplex and nonplus are sometimes interchangeable, but perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

When might puzzle be a better fit than nonplus?

In some situations, the words puzzle and nonplus are roughly equivalent. However, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nonplus And its performer was no doubt slightly nonplussed, too; Having previously claimed the track could elevate Rita Ora's career to new heights, Warren then called out the British singer for failing to promote it. 8. Jon O'Brien, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2020 Grijalva was nonplussed about the efforts against Sinema, who, like McSally, was in Washington, D.C., for Trump's Senate impeachment trial. Katie Surma, azcentral, 25 Jan. 2020 Gayle has yet to feature for Newcastle this season having picked up a calf injury in pre-season, with manager Steve Bruce concerned after specialists seemed nonplussed when attempting to determine the root cause of the problem. SI.com, 20 Sep. 2019 There is nothing wrong with this gentleman or anyone else who is nonplussed by a book that has been widely hailed by the critical establishment. John Warner, chicagotribune.com, 26 Nov. 2019 See all Example Sentences for nonplus 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplus
Verb
  • Trump called on Budde and the church to apologize for embarrassing him by allowing Budde to deliver a rare rebuke to his face.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Funny Birthday Messages For Mom Happy birthday to the woman who gave me life – and plenty of embarrassing baby pictures!
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Activists on college campuses have confused the ability to occupy and disrupt physical space for the right to dissent verbally.
    Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The employee recounted how the customer, seemingly annoyed, gestured under his chin in a manner that initially confused her.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In the playoffs, Spagnuolo dialed up a signature blitz that left Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo flustered.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
  • There may have been some flustering over certain new additions to the Bridget Jones cast Wednesday night (ahem, looking at you, Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor), but most of the love was thrown right at Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • One area of concern among both parents and advertisers is safety, given the regularly disconcerting reports about inappropriate content being served to minors, sometimes with blue-chip ads attached, across the internet.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Her face does a disconcerting twitch, eventually curving up into an unconvincing smile.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nonplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplus. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nonplus

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