Confound

Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/kənˈfaʊnd/ (American, British), /ˈkɒn.faʊnd/ (alternative)

Definitions

• To confuse or perplex someone.
• To mix up elements so they become indistinguishable.
• To prove a theory or expectation wrong.
• To defeat or frustrate.

Usage Examples

• The complex instructions confounded the new employees.
• The results confounded scientists, as they were completely unexpected.
• He always tries to confound his critics with logical arguments.

Etymology

Derived from Latin confundere ("to mix together, confuse"), from con- ("together") + fundere ("to pour").

Synonyms

• Bewilder
• Confuse
• Perplex
• Astound

Antonyms

• Clarify
• Explain
• Elucidate
• Illuminate

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /kənˈfaʊnd/
• American English: /kənˈfaʊnd/
• Australian English: /kənˈfaʊnd/

Historical Usage

Historically, "confound" was used in old English literature to mean "to damn" or "to bring to ruin." Over time, its meaning evolved into confusion or contradiction.

Cultural Nuances

The word "confound" is often used in literature and philosophy to describe situations where logic or expectations fail. It also appears frequently in religious texts.

More Information

Confound is a versatile word used in academic, everyday, and literary contexts. In science, confounding variables can distort the results of experiments, while in rhetoric, it signifies a powerful means of proving an opponent wrong.