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
It happened most fortunately that there were a number of Chippewayan Indians encamped on the spot at the time, else we should have been completely at a nonplus.
From Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory Volume II. by John M'lean
Peter was puzzled, and scratched his ear like a man at a nonplus.
From The Daltons, Volume II (of II) Or,Three Roads In Life by Charles James Lever
"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
Jupp was at a nonplus again; however, he tried to temporise with the mite, the more especially from his noticing that his little legs were quite mottled and his tiny fingers blue with cold.
From Teddy The Story of a Little Pickle by John C. (John Conroy) Hutcheson
When was the last time you looked at the exquisite list of synonyms for the word “baffled”? They may be among the best in the English language: puzzled, nonplused, discombobulated, flummoxed, stumped, fogged, wildered, buffaloed.
From New York Times ● Feb. 29, 2024
A genial man in person, Mr. Connick appeared nonplused in his later years over a reputation that had been severely tainted.
From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2024
Ronstadt even seemed nonplused about the Kennedy Center Honor she will receive in Washington in December.
From New York Times ● Sep. 5, 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
For now, investors appear nonplussed about potential disruptions to regional supply flows.
From Barron's ● Feb. 17, 2026
As his comments become more inflammatory, the film cuts to the increasingly nonplussed reactions of Palantine and an aide, who have realized their driver is unwell.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026
Ford, who died of natural causes at age 93 in 2006, was said to be nonplussed by Moore’s attempt on his life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 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
“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
Dismissing this nonplussing phase, I turned to the subject of the gem once more.
From The Paternoster Ruby by Charles Edmonds Walk
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
Our higher officials are fond as a rule of nonplussing their subordinates; the methods to which they have recourse to attain that end are rather various.
From Fathers and Children by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
It is closely woven in with that of Poindexter, and presents one feature which may occasion you no surprise, but which, I own, came near nonplussing me.
From The Circular Study by Anna Katharine Green
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