nonplussed

American  

[non-pluhst] / nɒnˈplʌst /

Sometimes nonplused

adjective

1. completely puzzled or perplexed by something unexpected.

   She blows a hole in the wall and escapes, and the nonplussed aliens are left wondering what happened.

2. not dismayed; indifferent or unexcited; calm.

   I hadn’t yet told my girlfriend I was leaving—I didn't want to risk being crushed by a nonplussed response to the news.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of nonplus.

Usage

The most common sense of nonplussed is “puzzled or perplexed”: Her odd choice of words left me somewhat nonplussed. But there is a more recent and less common usage with almost the opposite meaning, “unfazed, indifferent, or unexcited”: She remained nonplussed throughout the child’s tantrum, simply waiting till it was over. Although this second usage is gaining traction even in edited writing, many speakers and writers consider it nonstandard and avoid it as potentially confusing. There are several theories about how this contradictory second meaning came into being. One explanation is the analysis of nonplussed as non- “not” + plussed, interpreted as “not puzzled, perplexed, bothered, or impressed,” possibly by analogy with other words that have a negative prefix and similar meaning, such as unfazed and indifferent, and perhaps influenced by nonchalant. However, plussed has no meaning in English, and the non at the beginning is not in fact the common English negative prefix non- found in such words as nonalcoholic or nonexistent. Interestingly, the adjective nonplussed was formed from the less common verb nonplus “to puzzle or perplex,” which was originally a noun meaning “a state of utter perplexity,” and this noun was borrowed from the Latin phrase nōn plūs “not more; no further.” In other words, a state of perplexity is one in which the person can think of no more to say or do.

Etymology

Origin of nonplussed

First recorded in 1600–10; nonplus ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Durant appeared nonplussed by the spat, while admitting that he had deliberately taken a combative approach into the game.

From Barron's

I was nonplussed at a 1992 symposium in Vienna when a hall filled with international art world denizens went absolutely wild, cheering and stomping when Kelley was introduced on a panel.

From Los Angeles Times

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

"It's hard for me to believe that targets and timing and weapons would not have been classified," he told Gabbard, who remained nonplussed.

From Salon

Once Short was gone, Fallon said, “You never kiss me like that anymore,” to a nonplussed Michaels.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitated
• anxious
• concerned
• confused
• crazy
• distressed
• frantic
• hysterical
• mad
• perturbed
• tormented
• troubled