adjective

nonplussed

/nɑnˈplʌst/ · say it: nahn·PLUHST

surprised and confused

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (adjective) so confused or surprised that you do not know what to do or say

2. (adjective) not worried or bothered by something

Examples

1. She looked nonplussed when he suddenly asked her to marry him.
2. He seemed nonplussed by the criticism of his work.

How to use nonplussed

Nonplussed typically describes a state of confusion or surprise where someone is momentarily unable to respond—it conveys a sense of being thrown off balance. The word has undergone significant semantic shift in American English, where it increasingly means 'not bothered or worried,' a usage some traditional speakers regard as incorrect; stick to the original 'confused' sense in formal or academic contexts to avoid ambiguity.

Common phrases

left nonplussed
utterly nonplussed
seemed nonplussed
appear nonplussed
remained nonplussed

Synonyms

bewildered · baffled · perplexed · disconcerted · at a loss

Word family

nonplus (verb) · nonplussed (adjective)

A common mistake

American speakers increasingly use nonplussed to mean 'unimpressed or unbothered,' which contradicts the original meaning of 'confused.' This newer sense is widespread in casual speech but remains controversial in formal writing and among traditionalists.

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