What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Perplex vs Nonplussed - What's the difference?

perplex | nonplussed |

As verbs the difference between perplex and nonplussed

is that perplex is to cause to feel baffled; to while nonplussed is (nonplus).

As adjectives the difference between perplex and nonplussed

is that perplex is (obsolete) intricate; difficult while nonplussed is bewildered; unsure how to respond or act.

perplex

English

Verb

(es)
  • To cause to feel baffled; to .
  • To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated.
  • * John Locke
    • What was thought obscure, perplexed , and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view.
  • (obsolete) To plague; to vex; to torment.
    • (Glanvill)

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Related terms

    * perplexed * perplexing * perplexity

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) intricate; difficult
    • (Glanvill)
    (Webster 1913)

    External links

    * * *

    nonplussed

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Bewildered; unsure how to respond or act.
  • * 1724 , (Daniel Defoe), :
    • Note, the honest Quaker was nonplussed , and greatly surprised at that question.
  • * Episode 16
    • For the nonce he was rather nonplussed but inasmuch as the duty plainly devolved upon him to take some measures on the subject he pondered suitable ways and means during which Stephen repeatedly yawned.
  • * 2000 , Marcia Miller & Martin Lee, Vocabulary, Word of the Day
    • "Dad was so nonplussed by the new VCR that he gave up and asked Mom to set it for him ".
  • (proscribed, US, informal) Unfazed, unaffected, or unimpressed.
  • *
  • *
  • *

    • Usage notes

    In recent North American English nonplussed has acquired the alternative meaning of "unimpressed". In 1999, this was considered a neologism, ostensibly from "not plussed", although "plussed" by itself is not a recognized English word. The "unimpressed" meaning is not considered standard usage by at least one authoritative source.{{cite web , url = http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/nonplussed?view=uk , title = askOxford: nonplussed , accessdate = 2007-04-20 , language = English }}

    Synonyms

    * (bewildered) perplexed, vexed, thwarted, frustrated, foiled, confounded

    Verb

    (head)
  • (nonplus)

    • References