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to compound

to compound

61 6.9
To make a bad situation worse
  • verb
  • /kəmˈpaʊnd/
translation icon : empeorar
  • The domestic impact on growth and inflation is compounded by the international feedback effects.
  • compound the problem
  • compound the difficulties
  • compounded by the fact

His reading problems were compounded by his poor spelling.

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Examples

  • But I won't compound my mistakes.

  • The United States' aging infrastructure compounds the risk of destruction and disruption.

    Academic text (2008)
  • I would hate to compound the felony by making us late for the party.

  • Don't compound your problems, honey.

  • New and enhanced public expectations compound the problem and create additional stress in the workplace.

    Academic text (1991)
  • No, no, the reason I'm mad is that you keep compounding the problem.

  • And that retiree crisis just compounds over time.

  • Johnson says that the current uncertainty surrounding the FLSA further compounds this inefficiency.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Unfortunately, the long list of problems is compounded by the government's own stabilization and privatization policies.

    Academic text (1991)
  • His reading problems were compounded by his poor spelling.

Synonyms

to intensify
vsto compound
110 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

is used when the increase specifically affects negative situations
to heighten
vsto compound
76 4.1

To make a feeling, effect or situation stronger

usually refers to increases that worsen negatives rather than just noticeability
to exacerbate
vsto compound
69 8.0

To make a problem or feeling worse

increases a negative effect or problem rather than any neutral change
to deepen
vsto compound
52 3.6

Make a feeling or situation stronger

applies to making negatives worse rather than general strengthening
to make matters worse
vsto compound
37 4.0

To cause a situation to become more difficult or unpleasant

focuses on worsening existing difficulties rather than neutral strengthening

Antonyms

1.6

To make something smaller in amount, size, or number

76 5.3

To make pain, suffering, or a problem less strong

63 5.8

Make something less harmful or painful

Compounds

chemical compound
  • Specialized
8 2.8

A substance made of two or more elements joined in fixed amounts, like water

organic compound
  • Specialized
7 3.7

A chemical that contains carbon and usually hydrogen, often with oxygen or nitrogen

compound fracture
  • Specialized
6 6.0

A broken bone that tears through the skin, causing an open wound and a risk of infection

compound interest
  • Specialized
4 3.1

Extra money added to your savings and then paid again on that amount

A word made from two words that often has a new meaning, like toothpaste or watchdog

explosive compound
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A chemical that can explode and cause a sudden violent reaction

inorganic compound
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A chemical that does not contain carbon, like salt or metal

binary compound
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A substance made of only two kinds of atoms

compound fraction
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A fraction whose top or bottom number is also a fraction

compound lens
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A system of several lenses lined up to make images clearer or larger

chelate compound
  • Specialized
7.5

A compound where a metal atom is held inside a ring of other atoms

compound pendulum
  • Specialized
7.4

A stiff object that swings back and forth from a horizontal support that is not at its middle point

compound pistil
  • Specialized
8.6

A part of a flower made of two or more joined parts that hold seeds

compound protein
  • Specialized
5.3

A substance made of amino acids plus other chemical parts like sugars or metals

A sentence that has two parts that can stand alone joined by a word like and

compound eye
  • Specialized
6.0

An eye made of many small lenses that each makes part of the image

compound eye
  • Specialized
7.2

A camera made of many tiny lenses to give a wide view and detect motion

compound leaf
  • Specialized
5.4

A flat plant part divided into several small leaflets joined to one stalk

compound lever
  • Specialized
6.7

A system of two or more levers joined so force on one is passed and increased by the others

compound microscope
  • Specialized
3.9

A microscope with two lenses that uses light to make tiny things look larger

compound morphology
  • Specialized
7.1

The study of how two words join to make new words like toothbrush

compound number
  • Specialized
5.3

An amount shown using two or more different units, like one hour and ten minutes

coordination compound
  • Specialized
7.0

A central metal atom bonded to surrounding atoms or small groups

endocentric compound
  • Specialized
9.9

A compound word that has the same meaning and role as its main part, for example blackbird

anionic compound
  • Specialized
6.1

A chemical that has a negatively charged ion as its main part

alicyclic compound
  • Specialized
8.3

A carbon molecule in which the atoms form a ring that is not aromatic

aliphatic compound
  • Specialized
7.1

A chemical that has carbon atoms in open chains, not rings like benzene

anti-TNF compound
  • Specialized
4.8

A medicine that blocks a protein that causes inflammation, used for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis

aromatic compound
  • Specialized
5.1

A chemical with one or more rings like benzene that often has a strong smell

exocentric compound
  • Specialized
9.8

A word made from two words that names something different from its parts

heterocyclic compound
  • Specialized
8.4

A chemical with a ring of atoms where at least one atom is not carbon

A chemical used in cleaners and medicines that kills germs and helps clean surfaces

8.2

A chemical with a metal atom attached to a carbon-based group

spackling compound
  • Specialized
6.5

A paste used to fill cracks and holes in walls before painting

unsaturated compound
  • Specialized
5.8

A chemical that has at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms

How Severe

to devastate
221 4.9
to compound
61 6.9
to aggravate
73 4.6
to worsen
61 3.9

Surface Forms

compound infinitive
compounded past
compounded past participle
compounding present participle
compounds third person singular

Etymology

The word compound comes from Latin parts com- 'together' and ponere 'to put', so to compound a problem is to 'add more' to it and make the situation worse.