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
  • Perhaps most perplexing are the patrons who aggressively flirt with him.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • More perplexing is the industry’s retreat despite evidence that diversity is in its economic interest.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.
    — Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • After those results went public, embarrassing Muñiz and a few other judges, the Florida Bar stopped conducting surveys and publishing the results … leaving Florida voters with even fewer resources.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Adjective
  • While bulls and bears will continue to argue about the ROI on AI spending, there were plenty of disconcerting signs across the full quarterly report.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Wall Street is becoming more disconcerting about the data center buildout, and companies that are burning through free cash flow are getting punished.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of disconcerting
Verb
  • The decision to pursue short-term Band-Aid measures for a weak labor market and foreign trade tensions is confusing at first pass.
    — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Trump and his officials also offered confusing messages as to why Starshield — which Ukraine uses for drone strikes and air defense — had been throttled.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of confusing
Adjective
  • Maxxing’s upsetting genesis, though, is easily traceable—and anyone who’s online enough to use it is also probably well-informed enough to know better.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Working with Israeli journalist David Sheen, the filmmakers seek to track down the suspects, and in one upsetting sequence, Sheen goes undercover in Israel, wearing glasses with a hidden camera to meet Fuchs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of upsetting
Verb
  • One aerial fight is a dazzler with long takes of planes swooping through the clouds accompanied by the teeth-rattling clatter of lightning bolts that crash against your ears like metal trashcan lids.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The rise of Starlink has put pressure on legacy broadband providers like Charter and Comcast, with the new report about Boost Mobile also rattling wireless carriers.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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