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Definition of confoundnext
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Then came the explosive rushing attack that had been tantalizingly dormant for the majority of this confounding campaign. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025 The Panthers, meanwhile, have been a confounding club all season. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025 The list of places to visit and people to meet grows ever longer, the pull of the Sonoran expanse confounding my oceanic island origins. Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025 Nick Westbrook-Ikhine’s peculiar transformation from a consistently productive NFL receiver to a virtual non-factor in the Dolphins’ passing game has been one of the confounding mysteries of Miami’s season. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confound
Verb
  • The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Canales-Pelaez said that local departments may be confusing administrative warrants with criminal ones, or overcomplying to avoid backlash from the state Legislature.
    Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.
    Dan Walters, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Graphic videos are being cited to refute the administration's assertion that the shooting was justified.
    George Petras, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Trump administration claims that Good attacked or tried to run over ICE agents before the shooting have been refuted by the videos captured during the incident.
    Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.
    Ara H. Merjian, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
  • But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.
    Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Lawyers also argued the conviction should be overturned because the verdict was tainted by the media attention and due to faulty instructions to the jury.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
  • In 2005, Yates’ conviction was overturned by the Texas Court of Appeals.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But unlike his Sophoclean namesake, Orestes is bewildered by this escalation and refuses.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
  • In April, the president was among those bewildered by his fall.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In this case, focusing on a dress versus the altruistic work Turner is doing feels like an attempt to discredit that very noble work.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Continue reading … ‘COMPLETELY FAILED’ – CNN mocked for ‘effort to discredit’ Minnesota daycare fraud reporting.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.
    Arthur Allen, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.
    Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Confound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confound. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on confound

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