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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonplussed
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
The editors do the couple hilariously dirty by continuing to roll (PG-13) footage of their rendezvous in a split screen as Barbie and Kyle each offer their nonplussed commentary.
—Molly Fitzpatrick, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2024
As the knives come out, DP Balthazar Lab gazes across variously flushed or nonplussed faces, lit by candlelight that becomes progressively less cozy with each passing minute.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonplussed 
Adjective
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
The editors do the couple hilariously dirty by continuing to roll (PG-13) footage of their rendezvous in a split screen as Barbie and Kyle each offer their nonplussed commentary.
—Molly Fitzpatrick, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2024
As the knives come out, DP Balthazar Lab gazes across variously flushed or nonplussed faces, lit by candlelight that becomes progressively less cozy with each passing minute.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonplussed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonplussed
Adjective
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He’s likewise perplexed that heavy industry is to be entrusted with solving the climate crisis.Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024
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But something’s also got Kat looking very perplexed, and given that this is The Way Home, the mysterious source of her confusion could be anything from a time-travel twist to a relationship speedbump.Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Yes, Sam Darnold looked bewildered against Detroit in the regular season finale, and that conjures all sorts of lingering doubts.Jordan Brenner, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore brought different weapons to this cute fight: bobcat Kilgore and otter Brie, both seeming a little bewildered by the powder that surrounded them today.NBC News, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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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Landfill, feedlot, and wastewater treatment operators will also be embarrassed.Rob Jackson, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025
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Jimenez appeared embarrassed but laughed off the moment.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The offense never established the run game and never was in sync, and Jackson looked flustered throughout.Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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These days though, the flustered festive shopper has much more to consider.Paul Caputo, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near nonplussed
Cite this Entry
“Nonplussed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonplussed. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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