2 syllables: Non, plussed. Stress on plussed.
nahn-PLUHST
/nɑnˈplʌst/
Nonplussed is pronounced nahn-PLUHST (/nɑnˈplʌst/). It has two syllables (Non-plussed), with the stress on "plussed". Nonplussed is an adjective used to describe someone who is surprised, confused, or at a loss, often rendering them temporarily unfazed or perplexed. Despite some historical ambiguity, modern usage typically signals bafflement or astonishment in response to an event or statement. It is commonly confused with ‘unfazed,’ but the intended sense here is startled or stunned into silence or disbelief.
adjectiveNonplussed is an adjective used to describe someone who is surprised, confused, or at a loss, often rendering them temporarily unfazed or perplexed. Despite some historical ambiguity, modern usage typically signals bafflement or astonishment in response to an event or statement. It is commonly confused with ‘unfazed,’ but the intended sense here is startled or stunned into silence or disbelief.
"She stood at the podium, nonplussed by the sudden question from the audience."
"The unexpected turn of events left him nonplussed, unsure of how to respond."
"Rather than rushing to judgment, she remained nonplussed and asked for clarification."
Pronunciation is /nɒnˈplʌst/ in UK and AU, and /nɑːnˈplʌst/ in many US dictionaries. The primary stress is on the second syllable: non-PLUST. Start with the syllable /nɒn/ (like ‘on’ with an /ɒ/ vowel in UK/AU) or /nɑː/ (open chesty /ɑː/ in US). Then the /plʌst/ portion has a light /p/ onset, an /l/ in cavo-palatal position, and ends with /st/. Keep the /n/ nasal at the end of the first syllable and ensure the vowel in the second syllable is a short /ʌ/ as in 'strut.' Audio reference: try pronouncing after a native speaker on a pronunciation platform.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (putting it on the first syllable, NI-nplust), which makes it sound like a different rhythm, and mispronouncing the /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ vowels in the first syllable. Another frequent issue is tensing the final /st/ into a /stə/ or a broken syllable. To fix: emphasize PLUST with a crisp /plʌst/ and keep the final /st/ without vowel intrusion; use the voiced or voiceless subtlety of /pl/ cluster—avoid inserting an extra vowel after /pl/.
In US English, /nɑːnˈplʌst/ or /nɑːnˈpləst/ with a rhotic /r/ neutralization, the first syllable is broader, and /ʌ/ is common in the second syllable. In UK/AU English, /nɒnˈplʌst/ or /nɒnˈpləst/ features a shorter /ɒ/ and less rhotic influence; the emphasis remains on the second syllable. Australian English maintains a non-rhotic tendency in many contexts, so you might hear a softer /ɒ/ in some dialects; US tends to be more rhotic, so avoid dropping the /r/ if present in surrounding phonetic environments. Always align with the local vowel quality, ensuring the /pl/ cluster stays tight and the final /st/ is crisp.
It challenges because the first syllable contains an open back vowel /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ that can drift toward /ɑ/ in some dialects, and the second syllable features a strong /pl/ cluster followed by a final /st/ cluster that often carries subtle aspiration. The stress pattern places emphasis on the second syllable, which can feel awkward after a different rhythm in connected speech. Additionally, confusion with ‘unplussed’ or ‘not impressed’ may tempt mispronunciation. Focus on a clean /pl/ onset and a precise /st/ release to anchor the word.
The word stands out for its paradoxical tension between “non” and “plussed,” yet pronounced with the emphasis on the plust syllable and a clear /pl/ onset. The /pl/ cluster demands immediate lip closure and a brief lift into the vowel, with the final /st/ requiring strong, unreleased or lightly released air depending on context. Paying attention to the precise vowel quality in the first syllable and ensuring that the /n/ at the end of the first syllable does not blend with the /p/ helps maintain the intended rhythm and clarity.
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Nonplussed derives from the phrase ‘non plus,’ from French meaning ‘no more’ or ‘not more’ in the sense of ‘no more can be said,’ which in older English usage conveyed astonishment or confusion. The form began appearing in English in the 18th century, initially retaining a sense of being at a loss or unmoved. Over time, the usage broadened in American English to mean either being unfazed or, paradoxically, being perplexed—depending on context. Contemporary dictionaries often note a regional preference: in American usage, nonplussed commonly means bewildered or perplexed, while in British usage, non-plussed (hyphenated) can imply unaffected. The word’s semantic drift reflects the fluidity of nuance around astonishment and composure, with practical emphasis on confusion when confronted with unexpected information. First known uses include literary occurrences in the late 18th to early 19th centuries, especially in formal prose where characters are described as nonplussed by surprising revelations. The evolving meaning has led to a modern ambiguity: some speakers treat it as synonymous with unfazed, while others retain the original sense of bafflement. This tension continues in usage among educated audiences, and it’s generally wise to rely on context to choose which sense is intended.
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Words that rhyme with "Nonplussed"
-uss sounds
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