What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
confound
Example
The magician's trick confounded the audience. [confounded: past tense verb]
Example
The complexity of the problem confounded the researchers. [confounded: adjective]
perplex
Example
The instructions on the manual perplexed me. [perplexed: past tense verb]
Example
The mystery of the missing keys still perplexes me. [perplexes: present tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Perplex is more commonly used than confound in everyday language. Perplex is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while confound is less common and has a more formal tone.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between confound and perplex?
Confound is typically associated with a more formal tone, while perplex can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
