nonplused
Adjective: * Filled with bewilderment; perplexed; confused: Describes a state of being so surprised or puzzled by something that one is unsure how to react or think. It implies being mentally "stuck" or at a loss.
The word "nonplused" (also spelled "nonplussed") is used to describe a person's state of mind when confronted with something unexpected, confusing, or inexplicable. It emphasizes a temporary inability to process or respond to a situation.
- The audience was nonplused by the speaker's abrupt and contradictory conclusion.
- She was completely nonplused when her normally reserved colleague started singing at the meeting.
- His illogical answer left the teacher nonplused.
- To nonplus (verb): The action of causing someone to be nonplused.
- The complex question nonplused the expert panel for a moment.
- Nonplussed: The more common spelling, identical in meaning and usage to "nonplused."
- Nonplus (verb): To cause to be at a loss; to puzzle or perplex.
- Nonplussing / Nonplusing (present participle): The act of causing bewilderment.
- Bewildered
- Perplexed
- Baffled
- Flummoxed
- Confounded
- Stumped
- At a loss
- Unfazed
- Composed
- Understanding
- Clear-headed
- Expectant
In some modern, informal contexts, primarily in North America, "nonplussed" has developed a contradictory secondary meaning of "unperturbed" or "unimpressed." However, in formal writing and its traditional definition (as shown above), it means "bewildered" or "perplexed." It is important to consider your audience, as the newer usage can cause confusion. The spelling "nonplused" almost exclusively carries the traditional meaning.
- filled with bewilderment
- at a loss to understand those remarks
- puzzled that she left without saying goodbye