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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nonplussed
Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
For however much preparation had assuredly gone into putting up a 20-night engagement in the massive dome, Henley sounded in those five words just as nonplussed as any veteran of the low-glitz 1970s probably ought to be.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024
And then there were the two best additions to the cast, the witchy Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) and the chronically nonplussed Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), neither of whom could be arsed to put up with Daemon’s brooding self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
During the tour, journalists and diplomats were taken through a large warehouse, with airport workers looking nonplussed as the group walked between shambolic piles of boxes and floor-to-ceiling shelving units.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonplussed 
Adjective
The kids are nonplussed, with the novelty of silly voices wearing off after a few stories.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
For however much preparation had assuredly gone into putting up a 20-night engagement in the massive dome, Henley sounded in those five words just as nonplussed as any veteran of the low-glitz 1970s probably ought to be.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024
And then there were the two best additions to the cast, the witchy Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) and the chronically nonplussed Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), neither of whom could be arsed to put up with Daemon’s brooding self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
During the tour, journalists and diplomats were taken through a large warehouse, with airport workers looking nonplussed as the group walked between shambolic piles of boxes and floor-to-ceiling shelving units.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
-
Perry then looked perplexed why he was called for roughing as part of four offsetting penalties on the play — including two to Garland.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Instead, the dog lies on the ground with a perplexed facial expression as the small, autonomous device that cleans floors by vacuuming goes over his paw and beside him.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Anyone else is likely to emerge unharmed, if a little bewildered that these good-looking but skin-deep figures merited feature treatment.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Unleashed upon an unsuspecting public in 1977, Eraserhead initially left crowds confused and bewildered.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Other stories explore similar themes in equally bizarre situations: In 1880s London, a very suave Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man, flirts shamelessly with the smitten wife of his very baffled doctor (Goldsberry and Kind, respectively).—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Dec. 2024
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
-
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
-
According to the poster, the woman's family members appeared indifferent or embarrassed by the spectacle.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Watts then reenacted her embarrassed response, with her head in her hands.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Captain Rohit Sharma could not even make it to the fifth Test, so abject his batting as a notably flustered persona took hold of his usual unflappable demeanour, while mighty Virat Kohli was reduced to a diminished figure after continually being baffled by Scott Boland.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
-
The offense never established the run game and never was in sync, and Jackson looked flustered throughout.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near nonplussed
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share