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
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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
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
Crosby often comes off as nonplussed after moving up the NHL scoring charts.
—Rob Rossi, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
That nonplussed energy that is actually, in fact, very much plussed.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 18 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Adjective
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
Crosby often comes off as nonplussed after moving up the NHL scoring charts.
—Rob Rossi, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
That nonplussed energy that is actually, in fact, very much plussed.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 18 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
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Ellie seemed perplexed when she was told by police that her father was missing.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
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This was followed by a photo of Bronze, who was also wearing Crocs, holding another fish on the end of a line and looking a little perplexed.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Apart from the odd bewildered tourist or local going about their day, the vast majority of people in the carriage were heading to what most regarded as a ‘must-win’ match at home to Everton and the vibe, like the team’s results in 2025, was mixed.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Every lap felt like a mind-numbing carousel ride through car exhaust and past bewildered pedestrians, while inhaling burrito-scented air.—
Marley Dickinson,
Outside Online,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
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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
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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
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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
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The Los Angeles Lakers were embarrassed on their home court to start the NBA Playoffs on Saturday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat them 117-95 in a game where starters didn’t even need to stay on the floor throughout the fourth quarter.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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Why do some people ruminate after social events? Broadly speaking, people living with social anxiety possess a fear of being judged by others negatively and of being embarrassed in social situations, say Steele and Di Bartolomeo.—
Seraphina Seow,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Late coverage rotations can be hard on college quarterbacks, but Shough wasn’t flustered facing them.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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As Doocy tried to recompose himself following the bird's visit, hosts Ainsley Earhardt, Lawrence B. Jones and Brian Kilmeade jokingly laughed at their flustered reporter.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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