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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 One confounding factor comes from two other LG galaxies: M33, a satellite galaxy, and the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025 Second, the researchers in the present study controlled for many confounding health variables. New Atlas, 24 June 2025 Moscow has confounded Western expectations that severe sanctions would wreck the country’s economy and has instead enjoyed a couple of years of high growth. Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025 The offerings confounded college hitters, and minor-league batters haven’t fared much better. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 17 June 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
  • There are at least eight varieties of Lambrusco grapes (not to be confused with Vitis labrusca of North America), of which the best known, oldest and most abundant is Lambrusco di Sorbara.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • SoCal embarrassed the Jekyll & Hyde Utah team, who were flying how but who lose easily to the near-last place Hard Eights for their only win of the weekend.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Such an attack might embarrass Trump and spur him to make good on his threat in his address to the nation on Saturday evening to respond to Iran with even greater force.
    Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • But DeGeneres ultimately refuted the claims that savaged her career.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
  • The Palestinian activist, who was born in a Syrian refugee camp and holds Algerian citizenship, has refuted those allegations and charges that his criticism of Israeli military activity and advocacy for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank is based on bigotry.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 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 bill, which Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to sign and would begin Aug. 28, would overturn sick leave provisions included in a ballot measure that Missouri voters approved last year.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision last year.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 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
  • That terrifying consequence alone is sufficient to discredit the executive order.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025
  • And for that, I was met with silence, deflection, and efforts to discredit me.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 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 11 Jul. 2025.

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