Synonyms of confound

confound

verb

kən-ˈfau̇nd 

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

• confuse
• perplex
• bewilder
• baffle
• puzzle
• befuddle
• embarrass
• mystify
• bemuse
• vex
• flummox
• disorient
• discombobulate
• disturb
• bother
• stun
• muddle
• bamboozle
• pose
• fluster
• rattle
• maze
• fuddle
• addle
• muddy
• befog
• upset
• unsettle
• fox
• beat
• buffalo
• gravel
• get
• disconcert
• discomfit
• deceive
• blow one's mind
• stick
• perturb
• distress
• mortify
• mislead
• agitate
• faze
• stump
• unhinge
• abash
• nonplus
• beguile
• discountenance
• delude
• go to one's head
• fool
• discomfort
• misguide
• dismay
• discompose
• weird out
• trick
• disquiet
• chagrin
• hoodwink
• dupe
• cozen
• humbug
• take in
• snow
• hoax
• gull
• string along

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assure
• satisfy
• inform
• reassure
• enlighten

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• embarrass
• confuse
• fluster
• bother
• disconcert
• rattle
• disturb
• mortify
• unsettle
• discomfit
• faze
• upset
• discountenance
• humiliate
• distress
• abash
• perturb
• nonplus
• discomfort
• unhinge
• agitate
• dismay
• disquiet
• humble
• shame
• demean
• debase
• degrade
• put off
• discompose
• chagrin
• put out
• queer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relieve
• soothe
• comfort
• calm
• encourage
• console
• assure
• cheer
• reassure
• embolden
• hearten
• buoy

3

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

• confuse
• conflate
• mistake
• mix (up)
• lump (together)
• misapply
• misidentify
• misname
• miscall

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• difference
• distinguish
• separate
• differentiate
• discriminate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refute
• overturn
• discredit
• disprove
• challenge
• falsify
• confute
• rebut
• belie
• discuss
• debunk
• shoot down
• disconfirm
• question
• overthrow
• doubt
• give the lie to
• contest
• debate
• mistrust
• talk over
• query
• moot
• hash (over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prove
• establish
• confirm
• verify
• show
• validate
• support
• record
• witness
• identify
• document
• substantiate
• evince
• demonstrate
• illustrate
• evidence
• back (up)
• corroborate
• certify
• manifest
• display
• buttress
• attest
• adduce
• authenticate

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

Recent Examples of confound

Formal dress codes can be confounding—but of course, Bessette-Kennedy found an outfit that works for black-tie ceremonies and cocktail celebrations alike. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026

The trailer 3-point attempt in Philadelphia was Towns’ first in more than two weeks, a symbol of both what can be so enticing and also so confounding about the Knicks. —Fred Katz, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Ahead, revisit some of the most memorable (and confounding) ‘90s snacks and 2000s snacks. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 24 Feb. 2026

To ensure the accuracy of their findings, the team applied rigorous statistical adjustments for diverse confounding variables, including median household income, racial composition, educational attainment, lifestyle factors such as smoking and BMI, and access to healthcare facilities. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026