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
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
Paris — As all eyes turned to the Louvre after last month’s shocking jewel heist, one especially stylish figure on the museum grounds caught the internet’s attention: a sharply dressed man, wearing a fedora tilted just so, standing coolly next to some nonplussed police officers.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2025
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Adjective
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
Paris — As all eyes turned to the Louvre after last month’s shocking jewel heist, one especially stylish figure on the museum grounds caught the internet’s attention: a sharply dressed man, wearing a fedora tilted just so, standing coolly next to some nonplussed police officers.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
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
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
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Fallon, slightly perplexed and towering over Williams, awaits instruction.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
12 Jan. 2026
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Those late audits have caused ongoing comments by engaged residents who are perplexed that year after year the town’s government is not able to provide the same audit the state’s other 168 municipalities complete and submit to the public and the state’s budget office.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During our first visit, Maryam, embarrassed by her English, refused to ask the salesperson a question.—
Jennifer Obel,
Denver Post,
12 Jan. 2026
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We’re all supposed to be embarrassed by prizes or feel above them or apart from them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Why cells grow to just the right size has long baffled scientists.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Dec. 2025
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Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sassounian, for his part, doesn’t think there’s any risk the two California Couriers would ever be confused with each other.—
Colin Lecher,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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Many of the event’s attendees were confused about — or ignorant of — what had occurred on the other side of the court house.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The movie took liberties, but White's fight for Stuart to be a mouse-like boy is an important part of his history, even if some are bewildered by it.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
13 Dec. 2025
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Uma is bewildered at this new world, while Gopal can’t so much as look at her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The run-in may have been awkward on-screen, but Franceschini wasn't flustered.—
Colleen Kratofil,
PEOPLE,
19 Dec. 2025
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The Cougars present a versatile scheme that has flustered many offenses this season.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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