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
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
-
This will mainly result in perplexed parents receiving costly traffic citations.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Ohio State flustered the Illinois offense and quarterback Luke Altmyer, holding them to just 47 yards rushing and limiting an offense that thrives on explosive passing plays.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
From the second possession onward, the Chiefs’ defense flustered Lamar Jackson, generating two turnovers for the second straight matchup.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 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
-
Though some might be confused by insurance companies sending letters urging consumers to get screened, some advocates say any awareness about colon cancer screening is welcome.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
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The second-year coach appeared to be confused after the foul call before exiting the court and heading into the locker room tunnel.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 19 Oct. 2025.
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