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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 Questions have long swirled as to how Epstein managed to leave behind an estate valued at close to $600 million given his confounding job history. Chris Spargo, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) so the idea that smoking would help one but hurt the other has been confounding. New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025 Lockwood has admired Plath for years; what confounded her was the biographical approach to her work, the terrible death inflecting everything that came before. Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Splitsville, the entire movie, is built on confounding our expectations. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confound
Verb
  • This decision could confuse your friends.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The season ended with the two attending a sleepover at Cody's house after his mom confused Beavis and Butt-Head with her son's friends.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If that wasn’t embarrassing enough, then came an ugly post-game brawl that has gone viral on social media all over the world.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, the Eagles embarrassed the Chiefs, shutting them out 24-0 in the first half, and captured a 40-22 win.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To me, debate is about forming your own arguments and pushing yourself to refute curveball counters.
    Ashanty Rosario, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Other organizations and scientists have refuted the DOE’s review, including the American Meteorological Society, which highlighted further flaws in the report and urged a correction of the findings by the agency.
    Connor Greene, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many historians have been perplexed by how such a seemingly simple man as Shakespeare could have written works of such grandeur and depth.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Norman is perplexed by shootings like this.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Giuliani was disbarred in 2024 from practicing law in the state of New York and Washington, DC over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
  • While one vehicle crashed into a wall, another subsequently overturned, the MSS said in an earlier statement.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough?
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Its ginormous investments in higher-value, tech-heavy sectors from smartphones to autos to semiconductors to biotechnology are disrupting the global landscape at bewildering speed.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, however, Lowell’s ideas were discredited—Schiaparelli, once an ally, renounced them—and the world moved on.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
  • By the end of the year, the cold fusion bubble had burst, the technology was discredited, and the concept relegated to bad spy fiction and conspiracy theories.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That’s baffling to me that it was even checked.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Willis, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who starred for the San Francisco 49ers, was baffled by Jerry Jones sending Parsons to Green Bay.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Confound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confound. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confound

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