CONFOUND Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'confound' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of confound are bewilder , distract , dumbfound , nonplus , perplex , and puzzle . While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. // the tragic news confounded us all

Q: When might 'bewilder' be a better fit than 'confound'?

In some situations, the words bewilder and confound are roughly equivalent. However, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. // a bewildering number of possibilities

Q: Where would 'distract' be a reasonable alternative to 'confound'?

While the synonyms distract and confound are close in meaning, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. // distracted by personal problems

Q: When can 'dumbfound' be used instead of 'confound'?

The words dumbfound and confound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound . // was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Q: When could 'nonplus' be used to replace 'confound'?

The synonyms nonplus and confound are sometimes interchangeable, but nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. // the remark left us utterly nonplussed

Q: In what contexts can 'perplex' take the place of 'confound'?

The meanings of perplex and confound largely overlap; however, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. // a behavior that perplexed her friends

Q: When would 'puzzle' be a good substitute for 'confound'?

The words puzzle and confound can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. // the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

confound

verb

kən-ˈfau̇nd

Definition of confound next

as in to confuse

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty we were confounded by the player's remote control, which wasn't at all user-friendly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to embarrass

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress his renewed popularity has confounded the critics who said his singing career was dead

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as in to conflate

to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related I think you've confounded astrology with astronomy

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as in to refute

to prove to be false new discoveries that confound much of what archaeologists thought they knew about the Mayan civilization

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb confound differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of confound are bewilder, distract, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When might bewilder be a better fit than confound?

In some situations, the words bewilder and confound are roughly equivalent. However, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

Where would distract be a reasonable alternative to confound?

While the synonyms distract and confound are close in meaning, distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When can dumbfound be used instead of confound?

The words dumbfound and confound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When could nonplus be used to replace confound?

The synonyms nonplus and confound are sometimes interchangeable, but nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

In what contexts can perplex take the place of confound?

The meanings of perplex and confound largely overlap; however, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

When would puzzle be a good substitute for confound?

The words puzzle and confound can be used in similar contexts, but puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of confound Nottingham Forest continue to confound all expectations, Aston Villa are far from done and Bournemouth, the next Premier League visitors to Stamford Bridge on January 14, are playing well enough to dream of the first European qualification in the former non-League club’s history. —

Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 The media industry closes out 2024 in a landscape very different than a year ago and perhaps looking up as the biggest players begin to manage the confounding decline of linear television. —

Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2024 On December 4th, the day that UnitedHealthcare’s C.E.O., Brian Thompson, was murdered, Frager’s job—typically perceived as a confounding paperwork puzzle—was suddenly linked to a nationwide obsession that had a vise grip on social-media and news outlets. —

Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 The response confounded experts who spoke with ProPublica, who said such an approach misunderstands the long-term nature of his condition. —

Annie Waldman, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for confound

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confound

Verb

After a whirlwind of speculation and confusing back-and-forth negotiations, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach.

— Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Some residents have confused local law enforcement for ICE agents, said Earl Stoddard, an assistant chief administrative officer in Montgomery County, a sign of locals' anxieties that their neighborhood could be the agency's next target.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025