1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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4
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confound
Led by Gary Oldman’s flatulent and sardonic Jackson Lamb, the ‘slow horses’ of Slough House prove weirdly effective, often confounding MI5’s Second Desk Diana Taverner (Kristen Scott-Thomas) and, as of Season 4, its First Desk Claude Whelan (James Tallis).
—
Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 29 July 2025
Yet five years later, Barrett has confounded political expectations, especially within the conservative base that once championed her.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 28 July 2025
So begins Phillip Howze’s experimental, often confounding play that draws on theatrical traditions of absurdism, burlesque and commedia dell’arte to satirize a slew of Western interlopers, from humanitarian nonprofits to predatory capitalists.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025
Jurors can’t agree on verdict after reviewing evidence Whether the shooting was reasonable and justified confounded the jury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for confound
Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 29 July 2025
Yet five years later, Barrett has confounded political expectations, especially within the conservative base that once championed her.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 28 July 2025
So begins Phillip Howze’s experimental, often confounding play that draws on theatrical traditions of absurdism, burlesque and commedia dell’arte to satirize a slew of Western interlopers, from humanitarian nonprofits to predatory capitalists.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025
Jurors can’t agree on verdict after reviewing evidence Whether the shooting was reasonable and justified confounded the jury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for confound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confound
Verb
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The rest of the members’ faces were left blank and confused at the mention of barking.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The president issued new guidelines for tariffs, extended some tariffs for a few months, and is confusing everyone, including consumers.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers embarrassed them on the field and then hit the podcast circuit to shame them some more, ridiculing their defense, their baserunning, their lack of composure and even their unnecessary visits to the mound.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Big yikes: This is a sarcastic phrase to publicly mock or shame someone for a cringey comment, outfit, or behavior and is used to embarrass others in group chats or social media.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Though Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti refuted that the deal was done, and the WNBA released a statement reiterating that its Board of Governors must approve any move, the threat of a sale and relocation hangs over the franchise.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
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Scientists and fact-checking organizations have widely refuted these myths.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Having witnessed Axel's affection firsthand, Ollie's staff members are perplexed that the pup hasn't found his forever home, despite searching for an adopter for over a year.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The revelation perplexed Wall Street traders, who had expected bullion to be exempt from duties.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To change that, Congress would need to overturn home rule.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
6 Aug. 2025
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Tables were overturned, wine bottles were shattered and decorations were destroyed.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Will people be bewildered as to the difference between speaking of the two-word AI versus any of these three-word variations? Likely.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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We are bewildered with taking action regarding energy and climate change, even though suggestions and answers have been available for over 50 years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 July 2025
Verb
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During the two-month trial, Combs’ defense attorneys focused much of their efforts on questioning – and attempting to discredit – witnesses brought forth by the prosecution.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
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Activists have worked steadily to discredit stories about famine.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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She’s equally baffled by the widespread use of artificial intelligence.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 Aug. 2025
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Knight was left off the two-night, 11-match SummerSlam card entirely, a decision that baffled and angered his supporters.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confound. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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