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

Even these hide and seek tactics did not long nonplus the "snipers"; their adaptability was equal to the occasion.

From The Siege of Kimberley by Phelan, T.

“By Jingo, that’s a bad job,” cried the skipper, but he was not long at a nonplus.

From The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea by Austin, Henry

The adjurer appeared, for one moment, fairly at a nonplus.

From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 by Roby, John

So The Revolution, from the start, will arouse, thrill, edify, amuse, vex and nonplus its friends.

From The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony (Volume 1 of 2) Including Public Addresses, Her Own Letters and Many From Her Contemporaries During Fifty Years by Harper, Ida Husted

Leigh Rosser was similarly nonplused while describing his biggest challenge as design fabrication lead.

From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2024

A genial man in person, Mr. Connick appeared nonplused in his later years over a reputation that had been severely tainted.

From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2024

Nguyen, 43, is delighted by the attention the script has received, even while sounding a little nonplused.

From New York Times ● Jul. 2, 2020

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

It featured Evan, Anthony and Zachary performing a rendition of Hilary Duff’s “What Dreams Are Made Of” before a crowd of nonplussed seniors, while Darshan danced along next to them on a laptop screen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 28, 2026

"This is how I'd do it if I was DJ," he tells a group of nonplussed staff as dance music strains at his laptop speakers.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2025

Once Short was gone, Fallon said, “You never kiss me like that anymore,” to a nonplussed Michaels.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2024

She narrowed her eyes, giving me one of her nonplussed stares.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

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

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

The question was awkward, nonplussing Jerky, and, the second time, calling for explanation from his sister; who, however, promptly vouchsafed it.

From No Quarter! by Reid, Mayne

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

From The Paternoster Ruby by Walk, Charles Edmonds