Leigh HuntGeorge Borrow
; nonplussing also nonplusing
ˌnän-ˈplə-siŋ
NewsweekJ. R. Perkins
Did you know?
Don't Let Nonplus Perplex You
Does nonplus perplex you? You aren't alone. Some people believe the non in nonplus means "not," and assume that to be nonplussed is to be calm and poised, but in fact the opposite is true. If you are among the baffled, the word's history may clarify things. In Latin, non plus means "no more." When nonplus debuted in English in the 16th century, it was used as a noun synonymous with quandary. Someone brought to a nonplus had reached an impasse in an argument and could say no more. In short time, people began applying nonplus as a verb, and today it is often used in participial form with the meaning "perplexed" (as in "Joellen's strange remark left us utterly nonplussed").
Examples of nonplus in a Sentence
Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
So as the Rams prepare to face wintery and blustery conditions in their divisional round playoff game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field – a mere 90-minute drive from Mevis’ hometown in Warsaw, Indiana –the kicker is nonplussed about the weather report.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
After the Hateful Eight filmmaker accused author Suzanne Collins of copying the Japanese novel and movie Battle Royale when writing the first installment of her young adult sci-fi novel series, Hutcherson appeared nonplussed by Tarantino's remarks.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
Not only was former SPIN cover star LP nonplussed by it, but the artist also managed to draw Friday afternoon’s biggest audience.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for nonplus
Cite this Entry
“Nonplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplus. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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