The word “confound” means to cause surprise or confusion, or to mix up or mistake one thing for another. Here are some synonyms and an analysis of each:
puzzle: This word implies that something is difficult to understand or figure out. For example, “The strange behavior of the animal puzzled the scientists.” It suggests a mental challenge and a sense of being stumped.
bewilder: “The complex instructions bewildered the new employee.” Bewilderment is a stronger form of confusion, often involving a sense of being lost or at a loss as to what to do. It implies a state of mental disorientation.
perplex: “The cryptic message perplexed everyone who read it.” Perplexity suggests a deep sense of uncertainty and a struggle to make sense of something. It often involves thinking hard and still not being able to come up with an answer.
baffle: “The mystery baffled the detectives.” Bafflement is similar to bewilderment and perplexity, but it often implies a sense of being completely stumped and unable to find a solution. It suggests that something is so difficult to understand that it seems almost impossible to figure out.
confuse: This is a more straightforward synonym for “confound”. “The different instructions confused the students.” Confusion implies a state of not being able to tell things apart or understand what is going on. It can result from a lack of clarity or from being presented with contradictory information.
In conclusion, these synonyms for “confound” all express the idea of being confused, puzzled, or unable to understand something. The choice of synonym depends on the specific context and the degree of confusion being described.