nonplus

He found cross-examinations mentally invigorating, soon learned that he could nonplus storming attorneys if he kept smiling no matter how galling their insinuations.

From Time Magazine Archive

The scholars were cogent reasoners, and a show of staves soon brought their opponents to a nonplus.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 1 by Runkle, Lucia Isabella Gilbert

It happened most fortunately that there were a number of Chippewayan Indians encamped on the spot at the time, else we should have been completely at a nonplus.

From Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory Volume II. by M'lean, John

Loth to go to Hell and put to a nonplus, David built a nest in a tree in Richmond Park, and he paused therein to consider which way to proceed.

From My Neighbors Stories of the Welsh People by Evans, Caradoc

"Gertrude goes with me," I replied stoutly; for I thought Cousin John looked pleased, and Sir Guy was at a nonplus.

From Kate Coventry An Autobiography by Whyte-Melville, G. J.

Jamie, who was the team’s best player before Zava’s arrival, is visibly nonplused.

From New York Times ● Mar. 29, 2023

In response to Mr. Zhao’s accusations, Mr. Bankman-Fried seemed nonplused.

From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2022

“You have crazy people everywhere,” Mr. Rolat said, nonplused.

From New York Times ● Aug. 11, 2019

And this, in turn, has left some of his peers nonplused — grumbling at what they see as a flimsy theory or bewildered as to why Harvard’s top astronomer won’t shut up about aliens.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 4, 2019

“I sure could use some lumber for my front porch,” he said, nonplused.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

For now, investors appear nonplussed about potential disruptions to regional supply flows.

From Barron's ● Feb. 17, 2026

As his comments become more inflammatory, the film cuts to the increasingly nonplussed reactions of Palantine and an aide, who have realized their driver is unwell.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026

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 ● Dec. 1, 2025

But Rotem Naftalovich, of Rutgers University in New Jersey, one of the three researchers involved, said the US food regulator was nonplussed by the admittedly "wonky" idea.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2025

Tony was nonplussed at finding his golf clubs in the driveway.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Weaver, however, verged on nonplussing co-hosts Brian Williams and Rachel Maddow, as well as reporter Steve Kornacki, MSNBC's millennial version of CNN's king-of-the-"Magic Wall" John King.

From US News ● Apr. 20, 2016

Our higher officials are fond as a rule of nonplussing their subordinates; the methods to which they have recourse to attain that end are rather various.

From Fathers and Children by Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich

Dismissing this nonplussing phase, I turned to the subject of the gem once more.

From The Paternoster Ruby by Walk, Charles Edmonds

He received visitors with the graciousness of the courteous head of a department, who resigns himself to listen to demands, allowing them to talk as he smiled faintly, and nonplussing them by his calmness.

From Une Vie, a Piece of String and Other Stories by Maupassant, Guy de

It is closely woven in with that of Poindexter, and presents one feature which may occasion you no surprise, but which, I own, came near nonplussing me.

From The Circular Study by Green, Anna Katharine