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
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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
-
Kind, baffled but game, gets roped into the dada humor.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
-
The Tensor series uses a double layer of reflective film insulation, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
11 May 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
-
Many were left confused as to how or why the Yankees couldn't have matched that number to bring the Gold Glove first baseman to the Bronx.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Currently, some prescribing physicians are likely unaware if patients have disordered eating tendencies, either because the symptoms slip through the cracks, the patient actively conceals them, or the patient is too embarrassed to bring them up, Wassenaar explained.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Health,
20 May 2025
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Perhaps Jennifer was still embarrassed by the unintentional self-exposure of What Party?—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
17 May 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 23 May. 2025.
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