nonplus
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to render utterly perplexed by something unexpected; puzzle completely.
He nonplussed his questioners by answering in riddles.
- Synonyms:
- disconcert, confound, confuse, perplex
-
to cause to feel indifferent, calm, or unexcited.
The shoppers were entirely nonplussed by the disturbance in the street, continuing to gaze at window displays as they strolled along.
noun
verb
noun
Usage
See nonplussed ( def. ).
Etymology
Origin of nonplus
First recorded in 1575–85; (noun) from Latin nōn plūs literally, “not more, no further,” that is, a state in which nothing more can be done
Explanation
To nonplus is to baffle or confuse someone to the point that they have nothing to say. Something weird and mysterious can nonplus you, like a play that is performed entirely by chickens. If you know a little French or Latin, you'll recognize that "non plus" means "no more." When something bewildering nonpluses you, there's no more you can say or do about it. A goal of getting poor grades, running with a bad crowd, and refusing to eat would leave your parents nonplussed. Sometimes people misuse nonplus to mean "unimpressed," but that's not correct: to nonplus is to puzzle, confuse, and dumbfound.
Vocabulary lists containing nonplus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He found cross-examinations mentally invigorating, soon learned that he could nonplus storming attorneys if he kept smiling no matter how galling their insinuations.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Gertrude goes with me," I replied stoutly; for I thought Cousin John looked pleased, and Sir Guy was at a nonplus.
From Kate Coventry An Autobiography by G. J. Whyte-Melville
The objection is therefore nothing more or less than the very ancient and famous logical fallacy with which the Greek sophists used to nonplus their antagonists.
From Contemporary Socialism by John Rae
Ah! there Roy could not answer him; he was at a nonplus; he was unable to say whether the codicil had been found or not.
From Verner's Pride by Mrs. Henry Wood
But at times some extremely artless animadversions are heard that almost nonplus us.
From Popular scientific lectures by Ernst Mach
Leigh Rosser was similarly nonplused while describing his biggest challenge as design fabrication lead.
From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2024
He isn’t nodding his head or pumping his fist or rapping the lyrics like no few of the V.I.P.s present; in fact he seems almost nonplused.
From New York Times ● Dec. 27, 2022
“You have crazy people everywhere,” Mr. Rolat said, nonplused.
From New York Times ● Aug. 11, 2019
And this, in turn, has left some of his peers nonplused — grumbling at what they see as a flimsy theory or bewildered as to why Harvard’s top astronomer won’t shut up about aliens.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 4, 2019
“I sure could use some lumber for my front porch,” he said, nonplused.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
The feline in question is Gato Blanco, a “handsomely rotund” foster cat who seems to be equally perplexed and nonplussed by the art of radio journalism.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Durant appeared nonplussed by the spat, while admitting that he had deliberately taken a combative approach into the game.
From Barron's ● Dec. 21, 2025
"This is how I'd do it if I was DJ," he tells a group of nonplussed staff as dance music strains at his laptop speakers.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2025
Once Short was gone, Fallon said, “You never kiss me like that anymore,” to a nonplussed Michaels.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2024
“Thank you,” Ash said, nonplussed, for Lore had not seemed to be particularly interested in befriending her.
From "Ash" by Malinda Lo
Weaver, however, verged on nonplussing co-hosts Brian Williams and Rachel Maddow, as well as reporter Steve Kornacki, MSNBC's millennial version of CNN's king-of-the-"Magic Wall" John King.
From US News ● Apr. 20, 2016
He received visitors with the graciousness of the courteous head of a department, who resigns himself to listen to demands, allowing them to talk as he smiled faintly, and nonplussing them by his calmness.
From Une Vie, a Piece of String and Other Stories by Guy de Maupassant
The question was awkward, nonplussing Jerky, and, the second time, calling for explanation from his sister; who, however, promptly vouchsafed it.
From No Quarter! by Mayne Reid
While his powers of discussion of a subject were great, the power that especially characterized him was that of nonplussing his antagonist with a snub or a sarcasm.
From The Brothers' War by John Calvin Reed
Dismissing this nonplussing phase, I turned to the subject of the gem once more.
From The Paternoster Ruby by Charles Edmonds Walk
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