confound

USAGE SUMMARY

"confound" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to confuse or perplex, or as an interjection expressing strong annoyance. Example sentence: "I was so confounded by the complexity of the problem that I felt completely helpless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latest evolution of tobacco company strategies involves new nicotine products that make smoking attractive and confound the boundary between toxic and less toxic uses.

The Guardian

Such traditional values may yet confound Speedie, Regis and co on Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

Should they somehow confound all available odds and end "49 years of hurt" by becoming the first England side since Sir Alf Ramsey's class of 1966 to win a World Cup, participation figures would sky-rocket and the WSL could surely afford to look confidently towards the future.

The Guardian - Sport

In the interim they had collaborated on Needham's best movie, Hooper (1979), with Reynolds opportunistically cast as an ageing stuntman who wants to stage a death-defying feat – partly to impress a young rival and his girlfriend (Field) and partly to confound an obnoxious producer.

The Guardian - Film

Strategies include lobbying against tobacco control measures, suing countries who take action and designing new products that confound regulations.

The Guardian

But poverty was his natural enemy and he believed that to defeat it, it was necessary to confound the greed of the rich and the cowardice of politicians.

The Guardian - Opinion

They confound the stereotypes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The main problem with your article is that you confound satisfaction, clearly specified in both surveys, with happiness.

The Economist

Fierce arguments loom over two infrastructure projects Mr Brown has championed, despite hefty price tags: a high-speed rail link between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and a water-diversion project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.If Mr Brown can weather these challenges (and maintain good fiscal order) he may confound observers one last time: by seeking a quiet legacy.

The Economist

IT IS the sudden and unexpected event, requiring a spontaneous response, that is usually thought to confound Gordon Brown.

The Economist

But he manages to confound those who dismiss him as a free-market philistine.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confound", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean to confuse, frustrate, or prove wrong. The word's versatility can sometimes lead to ambiguity if not properly clarified.

Common error

Avoid using "confound" when a simpler word like "confuse" or "frustrate" would suffice. Overusing "confound" can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious. Choose words that suit your readers and the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "confound" is as a transitive verb. It requires an object to complete its meaning, indicating what or whom is being confused, frustrated, or contradicted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confound" is a versatile verb that means to confuse, frustrate, or contradict. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable word in written English. It appears "Very common" in various contexts, especially in news and media. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it leans slightly toward formality. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning. Consider alternatives like "baffle", "perplex", or "frustrate" for greater clarity depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baffle

This word emphasizes the state of being confused or perplexed.

perplex

This term highlights the state of being puzzled or bewildered by something complex.

mystify

This word suggests a sense of mystery and incomprehensibility.

bewilder

This term stresses the feeling of being completely disoriented or confused.

frustrate

This word emphasizes the act of preventing someone from achieving a goal or understanding something.

thwart

This term highlights the act of preventing something from happening or succeeding.

contradict

This word focuses on presenting an opposing view or fact that undermines the original statement.

invalidate

This term suggests disproving or nullifying something, often an argument or claim.

negate

This word stresses the act of making something ineffective or nonexistent.

disprove

This term emphasizes providing evidence that something is false or incorrect.

FAQs

How to use "confound" in a sentence?

You can use "confound" to mean to confuse or perplex, as in "The complex problem confounded me". It can also mean to frustrate or thwart, such as "His efforts were confounded by bad luck". Also, it means to prove wrong or contradict.

What can I say instead of "confound"?

You can use alternatives like "baffle", "perplex", "frustrate", or "contradict" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "confounded by"?

Yes, "confounded by" is a correct and commonly used construction. It indicates that someone or something is confused or perplexed by something else. For example, "I was confounded by the complexity of the problem".

What's the difference between "confound" and "confuse"?

"Confound" is stronger and can imply a greater level of bewilderment or frustration than "confuse". While "confuse" simply means to make unclear or mixed up, "confound" can also mean to frustrate or prove wrong. For example, his actions "confounded" the skeptics.