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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 This effect is clearly seen in historical GDP data, as the figure below shows, although there are obviously many confounding factors. Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 Partisan debate about the evidence often tends to ignore the vast number of confounding factors such as low interest rates, falling number of start-ups, special time periods chosen for the analysis and large number of acquisitions of public firms and the 7% IPO tax. Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 Her recipe included ingredients sure to confound egg and butter die-hards: Applesauce, nondairy milk, apple cider vinegar. Will Matsuda, New York Times, 23 May 2025 For Collins, Jeddah airport confounded his expectations of Saudi Arabia. Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for confound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confound
Verb
  • The man is Jack Ryan, not to be confused with the Jack Ryan dreamed up by Tom Clancy.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • And some say they were confused by what their leases said about renters’ insurance, and they were left without coverage.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • And best of all, no one could possibly be embarrassed by these empathetic words.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Mavericks 4-2 over Heat (2011): Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs absolutely embarrassed the Heatles.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • But DeGeneres ultimately refuted the claims that savaged her career.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
  • Bennett’s opinion directly refuted the argument — made by Assistant Atty.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The stock comeback of the last two months has perplexed many investors, who remain befuddled by the market's insistence to look past conflict, tariffs and major challenges to the economic outlook, to make short work of recovering losses from their April lows.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 June 2025
  • That wasn't enough to heal Carol's injury, however, leaving her owner perplexed about how to help the pup.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • The measure is designed to overturn a series of executive orders by Trump, including banning transgender troops in the U.S. military and blocking transgender students from playing on girls’ sports teams.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025
  • In May 2025, two people pleaded guilty for their roles in what prosecutors called a plot by Bravo to overturn his conviction.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Lynskey says she’s been bewildered by the fans who’ve directed online vitriol at Shauna this season, while seemingly forgiving the sins of Shauna’s husband Jeff (Warren Cole) and the heinous crimes committed by Misty (Christina Ricci).
    Todd Longwell, Variety, 2 June 2025
  • Both were bewildered by this fashion design travesty.
    Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Terrible policy Perhaps Gabbard is sounding the alarm to discredit efforts — including a sanctions bill held up in Congress pending a green light from Trump — to pressure Putin into a meaningful negotiation on ending his war.
    Marc Champion, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
  • The irony is that the FTC is blind to the meaning of such substantial investment from Amazon, the very investment that thoroughly discredits the FTC’s case.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • But Bird also throws a devastating slider to right-handers and a curveball that can baffle.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
  • The sheriff is as baffled as anyone else, wondering how anyone as recognizable as Roy could disappear in plain sight.
    Dateline NBC, NBC news, 25 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Confound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confound. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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