nonplussed 1 of 2

adjective

ˌnän-ˈpləst How to pronounce nonplussed (audio)
variants also nonplused
Definition of nonplussednext
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
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
Adjective
Syracuse University sports management professor Richard Burton was more nonplussed about the French Open. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 May 2026 Not that everyone seems nonplussed. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Verb
Some analysts were nonplussed at the double-digit share price drop. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 4 June 2026 Nick Lapis, director of advocacy for Californians Against Waste, a nonprofit that helped push for the law, is nonplussed by industry protests. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
  1. perplexed
  2. embarrassed
  3. baffled
  4. confused
  5. bewildered
  6. flustered
Adjective
  • The exact reason for the planet's unusual tilt has long perplexed astronomers, and debate continues over what might have led to its present-day appearance.
    — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • University leaders and state lawmakers from these rural Oklahoma are perplexed to find themselves in the crosshairs of this culture war issue.
    — Andrea Eger, Oklahoma Watch, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of perplexed
Verb
  • All must be corrected or the Dolphins could be embarrassed by the Chiefs.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Yeah, the Cardinals — led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator — embarrassed the Bolts at home.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of embarrassed
Adjective
  • Thanks to the coffered and baffled wood ceilings, noise levels are buffered and kept to a pleasant rumble.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The idea of there being two movies about concrete in the first place is baffling to me; Wilson, on the other hand, seems baffled that such a situation would stop a studio from greenlighting a project.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of baffled
Verb
  • Prime Big Deal Days is Amazon's multiday sales event that takes place in the fall, not to be confused with Prime Day, Amazon's summer shopping event.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
  • At last week's race in Azerbaijan, Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas crashed on the last lap and reportedly blamed it on the software becoming confused and affecting his braking.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • But Iñárritu’s caricatures become people in a way Kubrick’s don’t; as the bewildered President, for example, John Goodman is simultaneously grounded and theatrical in his presentation, recalling his best work with the Coen brothers.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Five o’clock Saturday, the Riverside Stadium and Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is fist-pumping a half-bewildered but fully enthused home crowd.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • Chicago rallied from a 2-0 hole after being flustered by Marlins starter Janson Junk, who threw five scoreless innings.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Rebecca is worked up because Matthjis is seemingly ghosting her, and Keeley becomes instantly flustered by the unexpected arrival of (an unexpectedly unaccompanied) Roy.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of flustered

Browse Nearby Words

nonpluses
nonplussed
nonplussing
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Cite this Entry

“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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