nonplussed

3 8.9

Very surprised and confused so you do not know what to say or do

adjective
/nɑnˈplʌst/

: desconcertado

"What do you mean the meeting is canceled?" She asked, looking completely nonplussed.
completely nonplussed
looked nonplussed
seemed nonplussed

If you know what Instagram is, you'll be at best nonplussed about this.

Examples

I was also utterly nonplussed.

Fiction book (1998)
The man seemed nonplussed.

Fiction book (2002)
For a moment, I was nonplussed.

Fiction book (1998)
Most of the people in the market are fairly nonplussed about the experience, but there are a few who get into it.

Blog text (26)
My brother was rather nonplussed when I dropped by to "borrow" a cup from him way back when.

Blog text (18)
You therefore grew up to be confident, capable, and nonplussed.

Blog text (2)
The notes left me as nonplussed, even embarrassed, as I had been by my teenage journals.

Academic text (2010)
Men stared back at her, nonplussed.

Fiction book (2002)
I was nonplussed.

Fiction book (1996)
I'm becoming increasingly nonplussed with the assertion that Joe represents an 'unserious' move on the part of the GOP.

Blog text (20)

Synonyms

confused

vsnonplussed

692 1.3

Not able to think clearly or understand what is happening

adds sudden shock or surprise that makes someone unsure how to respond

puzzled

vsnonplussed

31 3.0

Unable to understand something because you feel confused

adds a strong element of surprise that leaves one unsure how to act

at a loss

vsnonplussed

28 4.2

Not knowing what to do or say

expresses surprise plus confusion that makes one unsure how to respond

perplexed

vsnonplussed

7 5.1

Feeling confused because you do not understand something

also includes strong surprise causing inability to know how to react

bemused

vsnonplussed

3 6.7

Unable to understand what is happening

is similar but includes sudden surprise that stops immediate reaction

discombobulated

vsnonplussed

Informal

2 9.9

Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected

also emphasizes sudden surprise that causes uncertainty in reaction

mystified

vsnonplussed

1 5.9

Not able to understand what is happening and feeling puzzled

adds an element of surprise that leaves one unsure how to act

flummoxed

vsnonplussed

1 8.1

Not able to understand what is happening or what to do

involves added surprise that leaves a person unsure how to react

bewildered

vsnonplussed

1 5.3

Feeling confused and not knowing what is happening or what to do

includes sudden surprise that leaves one unsure how to react

disconcerted

vsnonplussed

1 6.9

Feeling confused and uneasy because something surprised you

adds clear surprise that makes one unsure how to respond

baffled

vsnonplussed

3.9

Feeling confused when you cannot understand something

is similar but adds sudden surprise that blocks a quick response

confounded

vsnonplussed

6.8

Feeling very confused and not able to understand something unexpected

focuses more on sudden surprise and not knowing how to respond

befuddled

vsnonplussed

7.4

Confused and unable to think clearly

is similar but includes sudden surprise causing inability to react immediately

bamfoozled

vsnonplussed

Informal

9.9

Confused and not sure what to do

is the more formal expression that adds clear surprise and unsure reaction

Antonyms

composed

1 4.3

Calm and in control of your feelings during stress

unconfused

1 4.8

Sure about what is happening

How Confused

bewildered

1 5.3

nonplussed

3 8.9

confused

692 1.3

puzzled

31 3.0

Surface Forms

nonplussed positive

Morphology

nonplussed = non + plussed

Although the visible prefix 'non-' is recognizable, the segment 'plussed' is not a productive or standalone English base and the meaning cannot be derived by an average learner from 'non' + 'plussed'.

Etymology

Nonplussed comes from an old phrase made of non 'not' and plus 'more', meaning 'no more'. So if you are nonplussed, you are left with 'no more' things to say or do and feel surprised and unsure how to react.