nonplusses
Throws for loop
Nonplusses is the third-person singular of nonplus, meaning to bewilder or perplex someone so thoroughly they're at a loss for words or action: The question nonplusses even the experts.
The spelling nonplusses follows American convention; British English often uses nonplusess.
The word derives from Latin for "no more"—as in, no more can be said or done.
Perplexes or confuses deeply
- mystifiesConfuses thoroughly
- stumpsCut tree bases
- bemusesCauses mild confusion
- confusesCauses mental disarray
muddles · obfuscates · fuddles · addled · bamboozles · foxes · buffaloes · befogged
Shocks with amazement
- staggersMoves with unsteady gait
- dumbfoundsShocks into silence
- flabbergastsOverwhelms with shock
- shocksSurprises or disturbs greatly
astonishes · stupefies · amazes · bowls over · floors · gobsmacks · startles · jolts
baffles
Perplexes or confuses deeply
confuses · muddles · obfuscates · fuddles · addled · bamboozles · foxes · buffaloes · befogged · dumbfounds
astounds
Shocks with amazement
- staggersMoves with unsteady gait
- dumbfoundsShocks into silence
- flabbergastsOverwhelms with shock
shocks · astonishes · stupefies · amazes · bowls over · floors · gobsmacks · startles · jolts · blindsides
discomposes
Upsets mental equilibrium
- unnervesCauses loss of confidence
- fazesDisturbs one's calm
- throws offRemoves or disorients
disquiets · disturbs · agitates · perturbs · abashes · embarrasses · dismays · ruffles · puts out · destabilizes
nonplussesclarifies
Makes more understandable
enlightens · explains · elucidates · illuminates · informs