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
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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
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Recent Examples of nonplussed
Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
After the Hateful Eight filmmaker accused author Suzanne Collins of copying the Japanese novel and movie Battle Royale when writing the first installment of her young adult sci-fi novel series, Hutcherson appeared nonplussed by Tarantino's remarks.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
So as the Rams prepare to face wintery and blustery conditions in their divisional round playoff game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field – a mere 90-minute drive from Mevis’ hometown in Warsaw, Indiana –the kicker is nonplussed about the weather report.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Adjective
And as Marty Di Bergi, the nonplussed documentarian following Tap on their American tour, Reiner is the movie’s marvelous straight man.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
After the Hateful Eight filmmaker accused author Suzanne Collins of copying the Japanese novel and movie Battle Royale when writing the first installment of her young adult sci-fi novel series, Hutcherson appeared nonplussed by Tarantino's remarks.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
But killing the compact SUVs, especially the Escape, has left some industry analysts and car dealers nonplussed because the Escape has long been a top seller and there is no other vehicle in Ford's lineup to exactly replace it to keep Escape customers in the Ford family.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
So as the Rams prepare to face wintery and blustery conditions in their divisional round playoff game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field – a mere 90-minute drive from Mevis’ hometown in Warsaw, Indiana –the kicker is nonplussed about the weather report.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
-
As the recruits push through the toughest weeks of training, the narrative occasionally cuts to TV news reports of an asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere, leaving NASA utterly perplexed.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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Reporters at the press conference, perplexed, asked Trump about the gap.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These killings—and dozens of other attempts and near misses in many countries—have disgusted decent people and embarrassed even many who hold otherwise anti-Jewish views.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Americans were left to root for the same team that embarrassed them, and that team delivered.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But some children—Hazel, Evan, and, of course, Jude—baffled Lilian.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
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Emotional rollercoasters for baffled European allies.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But to be fair, if worn independently, any of these products could be easily confused for any standard accessory thanks to smaller chips and sensors.—
Brian Cheung,
NBC news,
16 Mar. 2026
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Brad Pitt once confused DiCaprio's parents for extras.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Be careful about coming on so strong that others are bewildered or defensive.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Just a direct, almost bewildered question aimed at the creator.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Buckeyes were flustered at times and committed 15 turnovers on the day.—
Ben Messinger,
Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Why does Self sound flustered with the situation after games, then flustered with the people talking about the situation in between games?—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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