as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
I was nonplussed by his openly expressed admiration of me
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Recent Examples of nonplus
Ecker was nonplused when asked how her husband’s shoelessness has limited their life.
—
Katherine Rosman, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Mar. 2023
Industry experts were nonplussed that the government chose a company that plans weddings and corporate parties over experienced food distributors that submitted bids.
—Tom Orsborn, ExpressNews.com, 14 May 2020
And its performer was no doubt slightly nonplussed, too; Having previously claimed the track could elevate Rita Ora's career to new heights, Warren then called out the British singer for failing to promote it.
8.
—Jon O'Brien, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2020
Grijalva was nonplussed about the efforts against Sinema, who, like McSally, was in Washington, D.C., for Trump's Senate impeachment trial.
—Katie Surma, azcentral, 25 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for nonplus
Katherine Rosman, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Mar. 2023
Industry experts were nonplussed that the government chose a company that plans weddings and corporate parties over experienced food distributors that submitted bids.
—Tom Orsborn, ExpressNews.com, 14 May 2020
And its performer was no doubt slightly nonplussed, too; Having previously claimed the track could elevate Rita Ora's career to new heights, Warren then called out the British singer for failing to promote it.
8.
—Jon O'Brien, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2020
Grijalva was nonplussed about the efforts against Sinema, who, like McSally, was in Washington, D.C., for Trump's Senate impeachment trial.
—Katie Surma, azcentral, 25 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for nonplus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplus
Verb
-
One day, Will goes viral after embarrassing ROAR league MVP, Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), during a streetball challenge, prompting his favorite team, the Vineland Thorns, to sign him to a season-ending contract in a desperate attempt to juice ticket sales.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The case has deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung illness and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
To give my permission to be sad, to be angry, to be confused.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The singer had been tasked with announcing the penultimate winner of the night after accepting her Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, and had already been flustered by initially forgetting to do so and having to be called back by six-time host Trevor Noah.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
-
South Carolina was flying all over the court to start the game, completely flustering freshman guard Aubrey Galvan and forcing three Commodores turnovers in 30 seconds to open an 11-2 lead in less than two minutes.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
None of the emails unearthed so far appear to indicate criminal activity, but are—like the photos—disconcerting.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Manchester City 3-1 Wolves Bournemouth vs Liverpool The really disconcerting thing for Arne Slot and Liverpool in this turbulent season is that there are almost certainly choppier waters ahead.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplus. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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