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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 Many of the documents were without the redactions that had confounded historians for years and helped fuel conspiracy theories. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025 For one analysis, the researchers themselves chose a set of factors to include as potential confounding influences in an analysis. Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025 Such patterns have confounded scientists, who have spent 150 years searching for what causes the disease. Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2025 When Zaya first came out to Wade and Union as transgender, Wade was confounded. D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confound
Verb
  • And when the series takes an occasional serious turn, you'll just be confused.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • However, simply getting older doesn’t equate to consistently missing bills or appointments, having a hard time speaking with people, or feeling lost or confused in places that are familiar to you.
    Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • O’Neil had shown a more ruthless streak in dealing with Lemina, stripping the midfielder of the captaincy after those embarrassing post-match scenes at West Ham.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Punk proceeded to beatdown and embarrass McIntyre, leading to Priest cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and winning the title from McIntyre.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • San Francisco Giants Ryan Walker was named the closer by Bob Melvin, which carries weight in considering roles going forward since there has been no comment refuting his role.
    Greg Jewett, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • Health experts, members of the autism community and others have vocally refuted claims of a link between vaccines and autism.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But there are differences that can leave college fans perplexed, like when productive and highly decorated players tumble down the draft board.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • This abrupt conclusion to their title reign left many fans perplexed, questioning the logic behind their initial victory.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Still to be determined is Vessel’s plan in Glastonbury; the town rejected it, and Vessel won a Superior Court lawsuit to overturn that decision.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The case had long been viewed by Palin and other conservatives as a possible vehicle to overturn the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court landmark New York Times v. Sullivan.
    Luc Cohen, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Across the street, her husband Steve, who nursed Molly through her first fight with breast cancer a few years earlier, sits bewildered in the office of their couples therapist.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Carlie thinks the whole thing is hilarious, and Chelsea remains bewildered by any King Cake Baby obsession.
    Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Biden’s actions continue to discredit the legitimacy of our judicial system.
    Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The current page suggests this paper's explicit intention was to discredit the lab leak theory and remove any doubt that the origins were of natural origin.
    Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This May, students from across the United States will gather in Washington D.C., for the 100th anniversary of the Scripps Spelling Bee, determined to conquer a spelling system that has baffled us for centuries.
    Gabe Henry, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
  • With a fastball that tops out around 87 mph, Barrett finds other ways to baffle hitters.
    Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Confound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confound. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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