confounded

[ kon-foun-did, kuhn- ]

adjective

1. bewildered; confused; perplexed.
2. damned (used euphemistically):

   That is a confounded lie.

   Synonyms: objectionable, execrable, damnable

confounded

/ kənˈfaʊndɪd /

adjective

1. bewildered; confused
2. informal.
   prenominal execrable; damned

Derived Forms

• conˈfoundedness, noun
• conˈfoundedly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·founded·ly adverb
• con·founded·ness noun
• uncon·founded·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of confounded¹

First recorded in Middle English; confound, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Female sexuality has long confounded researchers and eluded popular understanding.

From The Daily Beast

The self-portraits in particular confounded the art world, who reviewed them in unflattering terms like “naïve” and “pedestrian.”

From The Daily Beast

But it is one that Levin has parlayed into being the voice of a movement that has confounded those outside of it.

From The Daily Beast

And ultimately that may be what really confounded the Wall Street bankers.

From The Daily Beast

Myths were confounded, lies proved unavailing, and there were big losers beyond Mitt Romney.

From The Daily Beast

They are turned back: let them be greatly confounded, that trust in a graven thing, that say to a molten thing: You are our god.

From Project Gutenberg

I wor amaist blinded wi' snow, coming ow'r that confounded heath.

From Project Gutenberg

Every confounded captain in the Force will have to view them officially; they wouldn't take our word for their being dead.

From Project Gutenberg

Look sharp with the light, or I shall knock my brains out against something in this confounded hole.

From Project Gutenberg

During the past month the confusion at Mudros, our advanced base, becomes daily worse confounded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confused
• perplexed