nonplussing 1 of 2

adjective

variants also nonplusing
as in perplexing

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Dissimilar Words

nonplussing

2 of 2

verb

variants also nonplusing
present participle of nonplus
as in embarrassing
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussing
  1. perplexing
  2. embarrassing
  3. disconcerting
  4. confusing
  5. upsetting
  6. rattling
  7. confounding
  8. dismaying
Adjective
  • For some, evoking death and sacrifice was perplexing and distasteful; a step too far.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026
  • His off-court activity in the final days before he was shipped to Milwaukee included a classy and thoughtful farewell message on Monday but also included perplexing behavior that triggered a social media backlash days earlier.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • Kyiv’s forces have targeted Russian oil facilities, causing fuel shortages and embarrassing President Vladimir Putin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Benefield alleged her stepmother began isolating her from her father, blaming her for household conflicts, reading her private journal, publicly embarrassing her and seeking to push her out of the family dynamic.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Adjective
  • There was a brief, disconcerting interlude of quiet from the Argentina fans after that.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • The traditional avenue for dealing with this disconcerting situation would be to hire specialist counselors trained as therapists and psychologists and station them at the schools for ready access by students.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of disconcerting
Verb
  • Experts argue that while autism doesn't excuse criminal acts, failing to understand its impact risks confusing impaired social reasoning with criminal intent, leading to unjust outcomes.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • How Patients Can Choose More Carefully Istanbul has a lot of options, which can feel both useful and also confusing at the same time.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • Much of the action in Holzinger’s work, especially the body horror, is projected live onto large screens on either side of the stage—common in European theatre, but used here to show what is otherwise hidden, often some kind of upsetting process.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • The show’s comedy only made its bleakest moments more upsetting and dramatic in contrast, while the drama made the visual gags and slapstick more charming.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 July 2026
Definition of upsetting
Verb
  • The case went unsolved until 2016, rattling Jacob's community for decades.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • High yields worldwide have been rattling investors since the war sent oil prices bursting above $100 per barrel in March.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of rattling
Adjective
  • Grief is one of the most confounding aspects of the human experience.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
  • In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of confounding
Adjective
  • Most dismaying to me was the group’s seemingly endless tinkering with the menu at Rowdy Rooster, its fast-casual fried-chicken spot, including a downgrade in the chicken’s range of heat.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
  • Some recent comments from longtime Voicers have been especially dismaying.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026
Definition of dismaying
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

nonplussed
nonplussing
nonpoisonous
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Cite this Entry

“Nonplussing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussing. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nonplussing

Nglish: Translation of nonplussing for Spanish Speakers

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