Definition of confound
transitive verb
1a archaic : to bring to ruin : destroyb : baffle, frustrate Conferences … are not for accomplishment but to confound knavish tricks. — John Kenneth Galbraith
3a : to put to shame : discomfit a performance that confounded the criticsb : refute sought to confound his arguments
4 : damn
5 : to throw (a person) into confusion or perplexity tactics to confound the enemy
6a : to fail to discern differences between : mix up They implored Charles not to confound the innocent with the guilty … — T. B. Macaulayb : to increase the confusion of
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Examples of confound in a Sentence
The strategy confounded our opponents.
The murder case has confounded investigators.
The school's team confounded all predictions and won the game.
The success of the show confounded critics.
Recent Examples of confound from the Web
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Some, confounded by the bad news, appear to look to the universe for answers, however unlikely.
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Corbyn’s supporters look to the unexpected victories for U.S. President Donald Trump and the Leave campaign in last year’s EU referendum as evidence polls can and will be confounded.
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The leaks filled a gap that can confound national tax authorities, including those in the U.S.
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Indeed, as anyone who follows the investment world knows (and Professor Fisher forgot, to his eternal shame), markets have a way of confounding all expectations, sometimes within days.
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Further confounding matters, the co-pay for visiting a doctor, plus the cost of prescriptions, which may or may not be covered by insurance, can impede patient access to these newer medications.
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Many of the same principles of movement that invigorated the Spurs would then fuel the Warriors, only to more confounding geometry.
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Staring at a flock of mixed gulls during winter can be confounding:
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Making your way through this cruel, confounding, ever-changing world is difficult.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confound'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of confound
Middle English, from Anglo-French confundre, from Latin confundere to pour together, confuse, from com- + fundere to pour — more at found
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of confound
CONFOUND Defined for English Language Learners
confound
playDefinition of confound for English Language Learners
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: to surprise and confuse (someone or something)
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: to prove (someone or something) wrong
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—used as an interjection to express anger or annoyance
CONFOUND Defined for Kids
Learn More about confound
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See words that rhyme with confound Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for confound Spanish Central: Translation of confound Nglish: Translation of confound for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of confound for Arabic speakers
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