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
Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
The Padres outfielder was seemingly nonplussed by the incident but did call into question his history with the Dodgers.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 20 June 2025
Speaking after the game, Weah was completely nonplussed.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 2025
But Gutierrez was nonplussed: The two walked to a nearby gas station and back, with no complaints from the boss.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, AZCentral.com, 2 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Adjective
Lennon’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, lets McCartney off the hook for a rare bad press moment in which McCartney appears nonplussed discussing Lennon’s murder to the media.
—Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
The Padres outfielder was seemingly nonplussed by the incident but did call into question his history with the Dodgers.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 20 June 2025
Speaking after the game, Weah was completely nonplussed.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 2025
But Gutierrez was nonplussed: The two walked to a nearby gas station and back, with no complaints from the boss.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, AZCentral.com, 2 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
-
As Markovic corrected himself, taking back the goal, the cameras cut to the Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice, who was visibly perplexed at the scenario as Devils fans cheered in the background.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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One strange phenomenon that has perplexed mathematicians for decades is that, even when friction is minimal, that steady train of gently rolling waves still eventually falls apart and becomes irregular.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
French authorities have arrested several suspects after a frantic manhunt for the men who staged a spectacular daytime heist at the Louvre museum that gripped the world and embarrassed the government in Paris.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Revolution provided a brief scare through a 59th-minute goal from Dor Turgeman, who embarrassed a defender before curling home a spectacular effort, but Inter Miami broke the tie almost immediately after the strike that made the score 2-1.—
Franco Panizo,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Sholder appeared in the documentary and seemed more bewildered about all of this than anything else.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Seattle sacked Lawrence a career-high seven times and flustered him all game.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The Cardinals’ defense flustered Miami in a signature 24-21 win.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The lot of us, dressed in our finery, descend upon the event, bidding a quick hello to Ronson and earning some stares from the upstate locals, confused by our presence—and matching outfits.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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Her daughter was confused, and eventually asked Nasser for an explanation as to what had been said.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These weird, offensive comms mortified his siblings.—
Coley Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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There was a period though where I was mortified to walk in a room or be at a party.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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