nonplussed 1 of 2

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

nonplussed

2 of 2

verb

variants also nonplused
past tense of nonplus

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
Adjective
Crosby often comes off as nonplussed after moving up the NHL scoring charts. Rob Rossi, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
  • Jacob Bernstein joins us to discuss the story that has riveted—and perplexed—Hollywood.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Despite this return, her limited appearances on WWE television, consisting of only two matches, have left fans perplexed and curious about her current status.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But the on-again, off-again nature of the process has resulted in a bewildered industry that has adopted a wait and see approach to investment decisions and supply chain alterations.
    Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Old Trafford was where distraught, bewildered fans felt physically compelled to go to express their grief.
    Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • 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
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
  • The Ice Age mammals, which should not be confused with the larger woolly mammoths, seemed to have an had an affinity for Orange County, where this one — and about a third of the state’s total — have been found.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • President Ronald Regan and First Lady Nancy had just launched an aggressive anti-drugs campaign, and Major League Baseball was embarrassed by a trial in late 1985 that revealed significant cocaine use on and off the field by players.
    Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Sometimes, political leadership requires uncommon courage, especially when faced with annoyed and embarrassed constituents, caught and fined for driving recklessly.
    John Seng, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In it, Rogen plays a flustered Hollywood executive who gets an unexpected promotion as the head of a movie studio after his boss is fired.
    NPR Staff, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Many of the world’s best players left flustered by Pete and Alice Dye’s grand examination.
    Justin Ray, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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