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nonplussing 1 of 2

adjective

variants also nonplusing
as in perplexing

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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
  • Director Darren Aronofsky’s chilly mind-bender is mesmerizing, terrifying and perplexing in equal measure.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The messages, which NPR has obtained and authenticated, are perplexing.
    — NPR, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • Neither party acted on it; Republicans wanted to avoid embarrassing Trump, while Democrats wanted to avoid embarrassing Nancy Pelosi, whose husband is an active trader.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Since then, Hochman has been slammed for playing politics, embarrassing his office and even backing down for no reason other than the pressure was too intense.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Adjective
  • Ultimately, swarms of AI could combine in rather disconcerting and dangerous ways.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There was a brief, disconcerting interlude of quiet from the Argentina fans after that.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of disconcerting
Verb
  • The board’s real contribution is to prevent the organization from confusing speed with progress, automation with accountability or intelligence with wisdom.
    — David Ribott, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Here, misfits are welcome, and bric-a-brac is part of the appeal; the wonderfully bizarre name and devil-may-care attitude have been confusing (and delighting) first-timers for more than 70 years.
    — Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • This year’s livestream featured an example of how wild (and upsetting to humans) nature can be.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For people like Emily Phelps who go to the park regularly that possibility is upsetting.
    — John Dias, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of upsetting
Verb
  • There’s a passage in the final movement when the full orchestra, reinforced by trumpets, trombones, tuba, and a thunder roll of timpani, clamber up to a teeth-rattling fortissimo.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • During the Thursday vigil, friends and family of the deceased narrowly dodged a vehicle involved in a high-speed police chase, further rattling residents and drawing criticism of Milwaukee police.
    — April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of rattling
Adjective
  • Its study of dark matter and dark energy could also give scientists new insights into two of the most confounding puzzles in astronomy.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Grief is one of the most confounding aspects of the human experience.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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