confound

[kənˈfaʊnd]

confound Definition

• 1. cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations.
• 2. mix up (something) with something else so that the individual elements become difficult to distinguish.
• 3. prove (a theory, expectation, or prediction) wrong.

Using confound: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "confound" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The sudden drop in sales confounded us all.

• Example

  The new evidence confounded the detectives' theory.

• Example

  The colors of the painting are so confounded that it's hard to tell what's going on.

confound Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for confound

• bewilder
• perplex
• baffle
• mystify
• stump

Antonyms for confound

• clarify
• enlighten
• explain

Phrases with confound

• confound it

  an exclamation of frustration or annoyance

  Example

  Confounded by the difficult puzzle, she exclaimed 'confound it!'

• confound the issue

  make a problem or situation more complicated than necessary

  Example

  Bringing up irrelevant details will only confound the issue further.

• confound expectations

  surprise someone by doing something unexpected

  Example

  The underdog team confounded expectations by winning the championship.

Origins of confound

from Latin 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'fundere' meaning 'pour'

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Summary: confound in Brief

To 'confound' [kənˈfaʊnd] is to cause surprise or confusion, mix up elements, or prove a theory wrong. It can be used in various contexts, such as when a sudden drop in sales confounds expectations, or when a painting's colors are so confounded that it's hard to tell what's going on. Phrases like 'confound it' express frustration, while 'confound expectations' denotes surprising someone by doing something unexpected.