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
Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 18 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Adjective
That nonplussed energy that is actually, in fact, very much plussed.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 18 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
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In the wooded outskirts of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a perplexed landlord noticed odd sights at two of his rental properties.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2025
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People are still perplexed and saddened by the questionable move on the Mavericks' side, especially their majority owner, Mark Cuban.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Alani, a French journalist, paints a haunting picture of modern Iraq through the eyes of its bewildered children.—
Lisa Anderson,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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The snap captures Bailey a bewildered expression on her face.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.—
Eric Francisco,
Rolling Stone,
1 Mar. 2025
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Now, a development that once baffled educators and administrators is ready to go mainstream.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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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
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Listen to this article The UConn men’s basketball team was embarrassed by Seton Hall at its place last season, and when the Pirates made the return trip to Gampel Pavilion, UConn got its revenge and blew them out by 30.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2025
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Ho grew up embarrassed by her parents’ boasting of their collection to guests but would come to embrace it later.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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During a recent performance, the show, meant to run almost two hours without intermission, was stopped twice for about five minutes so that ushers could attend to flustered theatergoers.—
Alex Marshall,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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Some were too flustered to articulate their thoughts beyond a deep gratitude for God and Trump.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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