confounded

6.8

Feeling very confused and not able to understand something unexpected

adjective
/kənˈfaʊndəd/

: confundido

The complex instructions left him completely confounded as he tried to put the furniture together.

OK, I, I have, I'm confounded, honestly.

Examples

Huang was not alone among the Chinese to have been confounded by Dunbar's mask, wondering at this curious contradiction.
And what confounded people so much and what Carl and I were thinking about is, is how can this possibly work?
OK, I, I have, I'm confounded, honestly.

Harvard University
Oh Drat, this confounded machine doesn't make any sense.
She was confounded by the sudden change in his behavior, unable to understand what had happened.
When the magician performed his final trick, the audience was left confounded and amazed.

Synonyms

confused

vsconfounded

692 1.3

Not able to think clearly or understand what is happening

is bewilderment that centers on complicated or contradictory situations

mixed-up

vsconfounded

Informal

82 4.9

Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree

is bewilderment caused specifically by complex or conflicting situations

puzzled

vsconfounded

31 3.0

Unable to understand something because you feel confused

is bewilderment tied to complex or conflicting situations rather than simple puzzlement

at sea

vsconfounded

9 6.8

Confused and not sure what to do

is bewilderment that emphasizes complexity and conflicting information as cause

muddled

vsconfounded

7 5.4

Confused and not in clear order so hard to understand

is confusion that specifically comes from complex or conflicting causes

perplexed

vsconfounded

7 5.1

Feeling confused because you do not understand something

is a form of bewilderment tied to complex or contradictory situations

lost

vsconfounded

6 1.0

Confused and unsure what to do or where to go

is bewilderment specifically linked to complex or conflicting situations

bemused

vsconfounded

3 6.7

Unable to understand what is happening

is bewilderment rooted in complexity or direct conflicts in situations

nonplussed

vsconfounded

3 8.9

Very surprised and confused so you do not know what to say or do

is bewilderment that emphasizes complex or conflicting causes rather than sudden surprise

discombobulated

vsconfounded

Informal

2 9.9

Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected

is confusion that focuses on complex or conflicting mental bewilderment rather than upset

mystified

vsconfounded

1 5.9

Not able to understand what is happening and feeling puzzled

is bewilderment focused on complex or conflicting causes rather than total inability

flummoxed

vsconfounded

1 8.1

Not able to understand what is happening or what to do

is confusion that specifically arises from complex or conflicting circumstances

bewildered

vsconfounded

1 5.3

Feeling confused and not knowing what is happening or what to do

is bewilderment that specifically involves complexity or conflicting information

disconcerted

vsconfounded

1 6.9

Feeling confused and uneasy because something surprised you

is bewilderment centered on complexity and conflicting information rather than emotional disturbance

mazed

vsconfounded

9.6

Confused and unable to think clearly

is confusion that centers on complexity and opposing information

baffled

vsconfounded

3.9

Feeling confused when you cannot understand something

is confusion that stems more from complex, conflicting circumstances

befuddled

vsconfounded

7.4

Confused and unable to think clearly

is bewilderment driven by complex or contradictory information rather than mere clouded thought

bamfoozled

vsconfounded

Informal

9.9

Confused and not sure what to do

is a more specific bewilderment caused by complex or conflicting situations

Antonyms

composed

1 4.3

Calm and in control of your feelings during stress

clearheaded

1 4.9

Able to think clearly and make good decisions

How Confused

bewildered

1 5.3

perplexed

7 5.1

baffled

3.9

confounded

6.8

confused

692 1.3

puzzled

31 3.0

Surface Forms

confounded positive

Morphology

confounded = confound (transparent) = confound + ed

The adjective is the participial/adjectival form of the verb 'confound' formed with the regular suffix '-ed', so learners who know 'confound' can infer 'confounded' as 'confused'.

Etymology

Confounded comes from Latin parts com- 'together' and fundere 'to pour', so it originally meant 'poured together' like a messy mix. That's why if you are confounded you feel mixed up and very confused.