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
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Recent Examples of nonplussed
Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The Russian isn’t heeding the president’s entreaties to stop the killing in Ukraine, and Mr. Trump is nonplussed.
—The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Take TikTok user Taylor Hamm’s airport dancing video, for example, in which a nonplussed airport janitor directly walks through her frame.
—Francesca Street, CNN Money, 2 May 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
Speaking after the game, Weah was completely nonplussed.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The Russian isn’t heeding the president’s entreaties to stop the killing in Ukraine, and Mr. Trump is nonplussed.
—The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Take TikTok user Taylor Hamm’s airport dancing video, for example, in which a nonplussed airport janitor directly walks through her frame.
—Francesca Street, CNN Money, 2 May 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
-
Another surprise that has long perplexed researchers is those algorithms’ knack for their own, strange kind of creativity.—
Webb Wright,
Wired News,
24 Aug. 2025
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The exhibition matchup is already creating controversy and has some perplexed, given both fighters were headed down very different paths.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After the Detroit Tigers embarrassed them in two games, outscoring them 23-3 earlier this week, the Yankees have won the first two games of their series against the Boston Red Sox.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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We wouldn’t be embarrassed by it, nor would the audience.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Everybody seems bewildered by this news, his own wife most of all.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Layered in cream, bruised, bewildered, bald.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But Brozena was not flustered, winning 16 and 18 to end the match.—
Boston Herald staff,
Boston Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
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One is that the leader may have been caught by surprise and is flustered, out of their Window of Tolerance.—
Dr. Joel Rothaizer,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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And my parents are even baffled.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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It should not be confused with Article 5, the cornerstone of the alliance, which states an armed attack on one NATO ally will be considered an act of violence against all members and prompt assistance to the member concerned.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mudra complied in an encounter that left her mortified.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Everybody was mortified, including Brennan himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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