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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of nonplussed
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 20 June 2025
Speaking after the game, Weah was completely nonplussed.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The Russian isn’t heeding the president’s entreaties to stop the killing in Ukraine, and Mr. Trump is nonplussed.
—The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 1 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
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
The Russian isn’t heeding the president’s entreaties to stop the killing in Ukraine, and Mr. Trump is nonplussed.
—The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 1 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
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Zahn is a master at non-verbal incredulity, and Coach Hudson’s perplexed patience in the face of Chad’s weirdness is never not entertaining.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
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Another surprise that has long perplexed researchers is those algorithms’ knack for their own, strange kind of creativity.—
Webb Wright,
Wired News,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
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
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Me, a beautiful and clever five-time Emmy-winning writer with a few Wednesday nights free, and The Golden Bachelor, a heartwarming and adorable exploration of women’s second acts with a male doofus at the center who has already embarrassed himself.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As Friday’s stabbing incident involving NFL alum Mark Sanchez slowly comes into focus, the team at Fox Sports seems to be just as bewildered as the rest of us.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
5 Oct. 2025
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Hair disheveled, a dazed and bewildered look in his eyes, the coach trudged into his own dressing room to regroup and get a rundown of a growing list of injuries.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At least several players appeared flustered, with Golden and wideout Dontayvion Wicks seemingly throwing up their hands in confusion.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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In the interview, which was published Thursday, Roberts recalled becoming flustered ahead of her first encounter with Sevigny.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mom asked, completely baffled now.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lethargic and confused in their play.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Oxygen bleach soaks—Oxygen bleach (not to be confused with chlorine bleach) is a gentle yet powerful whitening agent.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But then he’s mortified to see that immediately after, all the cult members take turns holding the baby, collectively becoming the newborn's parents.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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When Gabriel gets his first paycheck, he’s mortified to see the tax and social security deductions.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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