to compound
- verb
- /kəmˈpaʊnd/
- 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.
- His reading problems were compounded by his poor spelling.
- So you're dealing with like some compounded, you know, heavy grief.
- And that retiree crisis just compounds over time.
- So I've just compounded and stacked the problem as a leader.
- There's been insatiable demand outstripping supply and compounding matters further, well, TSMC for one.
- We are the product of tiny incremental changes that compound over time.
- Just kind of compounded to me having one shit day.
Examples
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But I won't compound my mistakes.
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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.
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Don't compound your problems, honey.
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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.
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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
Make something stronger or more intense
To make a feeling, effect or situation stronger
To make a problem or feeling worse
Make a feeling or situation stronger
To cause a situation to become more difficult or unpleasant
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
A substance made of two or more elements joined in fixed amounts, like water
- Specialized
A chemical that contains carbon and usually hydrogen, often with oxygen or nitrogen
- Specialized
A broken bone that tears through the skin, causing an open wound and a risk of infection
- Specialized
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
- Specialized
A chemical that can explode and cause a sudden violent reaction
- Specialized
A system of several lenses lined up to make images clearer or larger
- Specialized
A stiff object that swings back and forth from a horizontal support that is not at its middle point
- Specialized
A substance made of amino acids plus other chemical parts like sugars or metals
- Specialized
A camera made of many tiny lenses to give a wide view and detect motion
- Specialized
A flat plant part divided into several small leaflets joined to one stalk
- Specialized
A system of two or more levers joined so force on one is passed and increased by the others
- Specialized
A microscope with two lenses that uses light to make tiny things look larger
- Specialized
The study of how two words join to make new words like toothbrush
- Specialized
An amount shown using two or more different units, like one hour and ten minutes
- Specialized
A central metal atom bonded to surrounding atoms or small groups
- Specialized
A compound word that has the same meaning and role as its main part, for example blackbird
- Specialized
A carbon molecule in which the atoms form a ring that is not aromatic
- Specialized
A chemical that has carbon atoms in open chains, not rings like benzene
- Specialized
A medicine that blocks a protein that causes inflammation, used for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
- Specialized
A chemical with one or more rings like benzene that often has a strong smell
- Specialized
A word made from two words that names something different from its parts
- Specialized
A chemical with a ring of atoms where at least one atom is not carbon
- Specialized
A chemical used in cleaners and medicines that kills germs and helps clean surfaces
- Specialized
A chemical with a metal atom attached to a carbon-based group
- Specialized
A chemical that has at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms
How Severe
Surface Forms
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.