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
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
Asked about Tkachuk and the verbal jousting with Nylander near the end of Game 4, Domi was nonplussed about the subject of chirping between teams.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 14 May 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
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
Asked about Tkachuk and the verbal jousting with Nylander near the end of Game 4, Domi was nonplussed about the subject of chirping between teams.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 14 May 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
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
-
Advertisement Advertisement Cole Palmer looked perplexed and frustrated as Donald Trump stood in front of him, smiling and clapping, even as FIFA President Gianni Infantino could be seen unsuccessfully urging the U.S. President to move aside so as not to obstruct the team’s celebrations.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
14 July 2025
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Another surprise that has long perplexed researchers is those algorithms’ knack for their own, strange kind of creativity.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Olivia, bewildered and frightened, runs to the vast body of Tierra del Fuego to look for him.—
Jason Liwag,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Whites, bewildered and self-righteous, would find their way to Reagan.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Scientific experts who constantly monitor the Earth's rotation seem a bit baffled and amused that a few slightly more-speedy-than-normal spins this summer have captured the public's imagination.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
22 July 2025
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And finally, a baffled daughter-in-law shared that her mother-in-law took it upon herself to write directly on their back door—with a green pen.—
Cameron Schoppa
Alex Backus,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Democratic state legislators should be embarrassed too.—
Chris Powell,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
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His grandmother felt embarrassed when guests noticed its absence, but to them, the house was still their castle.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
From the backfield that day, Burns watched and cheered as Carter flustered quarterback Russell Wilson.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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The panel also premiered an extended trial room sequence with John Cena as an ACME lawyer and Forte as Wile’s flustered attorney and teased an appearance from Bugs Bunny himself in the film.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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