confounded 1 of 2

1
2
as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do the sudden burden of familial responsibility has left him anxious and confounded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

confounded

2 of 2

verb

past tense of confound
1
2
3
as in confused
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related I think you've confounded astrology with astronomy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 confounded
Adjective
The displeasure of it gave way to absurdity, out of which emerged a mutual, confounded glee. Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 15 Sep. 2020 In Europe itself, Greece has so far confounded predictions by avoiding the kind of mass outbreaks that have claimed tens of thousands of lives in Italy, France, and Britain. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2020 And with wild swings on Tuesday, the markets proved those predictions correct, a marker of how confounded investors appear as the covid-19 economic crisis takes a fuller form. Jacob Bogage, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Mar. 2020 The Germans are no less confounded than the Democrats. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 14 June 2019 Learn how to work the confounded thing at free Android smartphone workshops being held in South Florida, sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons. Doreen Christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, 9 Mar. 2018 For decades, recovery stories like this confounded researchers, who characterized autism as a lifelong condition. Brendan Borrell, Slate Magazine, 22 Sep. 2017
Verb
The music industry was confounded. Hazlitt, 11 Dec. 2024 The album confounded some critics upon its release, but was roundly embraced by fans as their favorite artist’s most unguarded statement to date. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024 Strands, our word search puzzle game, has confounded and enthralled solvers. New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024 One of these was Dylan’s close friend Pete Seeger, the elder statesman of folk and roots music who’s played in the film by Edward Norton as a kindly patriarch who is confounded by Dylan’s betrayal. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 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 Wake Forest confounded the Stanford women’s soccer team once again on Friday. Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 7 Dec. 2024 And there was always a green salad served with a selection of oil, vinegar, and seasonings so everyone at the table could dress their own (a method that confounded me, the child of a balsamic vinaigrette lover). Ellen Fort, Saveur, 3 Oct. 2024 On her debut, Minaj rapped ferociously and sang earnestly – sometimes in the same song – a combination of skills that, coupled with the sparkly beats of Drew Money, Swizz Beatz, and Pop & Oak, confounded those who encountered her on a vibe closer to The Come Up DVD. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confounded
Adjective
  • As mentor to a nascent entrepreneur and future president, Strong gave us a cursed Roy Cohn who grew more shocked about his apprentice.
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Image ‘The Monkey’ After a cursed toy monkey from his childhood reappears, a man (Theo James) tries to stop it in this horror comedy directed by Osgood Perkins.
    The New York Times, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Jacob Bernstein joins us to discuss the story that has riveted—and perplexed—Hollywood.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Despite this return, her limited appearances on WWE television, consisting of only two matches, have left fans perplexed and curious about her current status.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne Elliott’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.
    Kristina Goetz, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • In the now-viral video, the tuxedo cat crawls out from under the bed, wide-eyed and bewildered.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.
    Doug Melville, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • There are competing stories that the Los Angeles Angels offered Kim a five-year, $28 million guarantee, but Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register has refuted that report.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
  • The White House, through White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates, refuted many of the claims the Journal made, insisting that Biden would meet often with his Cabinet members and their teams.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Chasing perfection this offseason required Webb to tweak the pitch that, ironically, most baffled hitters.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Surrounding the headliners are grumpy arena security, who spend the night wearing baffled expressions watching a sea of adults cheer and laugh and applaud over imaginary characters engaged in battles no one can actually see, and rolls of acrylic dice just 16 millimeters in size.
    Eric Francisco, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Case in point: his goal for Portugal Under-17s against Morocco in September 2023, a ludicrous solo effort that left a trail of dazed defenders scratching their heads and wondering what the hell had just happened.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Sea lions and dolphins have been observed rigid with seizures, acting dazed and confused.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Smith unsuccessfully challenged Simpson for his congressional seat in the Republican primaries in 2014 and again in 2022.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 16 Mar. 2025
  • There is the love of Irish and Mexican dance traditions, love challenged by evil sorcerers and family dynamics and the passionate love that ends in tragedy.
    Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confounded. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confounded

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!