confound
//kənˈfaʊnd//
Verb
confoundInfinitive
confoundPresent tense
confoundedPast tense
confoundedPast participle
confoundingPresent participle
confoundsThird-person singular
1
To cause surprise or confusion in someone, especially by acting against their expectations.
The magician's trick confounded the audience.
2
To prove a theory, expectation, or prediction wrong.
The unexpected results confounded the scientists' predictions.
3
To mix up or confuse one thing with another.
People often confound the two similar-looking words.