Showing results for confounding. Search instead for cofounding.

Definitions

confounding

[kon-foun-ding, kuhn-] / kɒnˈfaʊn dɪŋ, kən- /

ADJECTIVE

astounding

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astonishing breathtaking eye-popping mind-boggling overwhelming shocking startling surprising wondrous

STRONG

stupefying

WEAK

mind-blowing

ADJECTIVE

confusing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffling bewildering complex complicated difficult disconcerting perplexing upsetting

STRONG

befuddling blurring disorienting involved mystifying unsettling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear easy plain simple

WEAK

orderly reassuring

ADJECTIVE

devious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

circuitous misleading

WEAK

ambiguous bending confusing curving detouring deviating digressing digressory diverting errant erratic excursive flexuous obscure out-of-the-way rambling remote removed roundabout serpentine straying tortuous twisting wandering

Antonyms

WEAK

artless direct frank honest open straight straightforward trustworthy truthful

ADJECTIVE

difficult

Synonyms

STRONGEST

complex confusing delicate troublesome

WEAK

abstract abstruse baffling bewildering dark deep enigmatic enigmatical entangled esoteric formidable hard to explain hard to solve hidden inexplicable intricate involved knotty labyrinthine loose meandering mysterious mystical mystifying nice obscure obstinate paradoxical perplexing problematical profound puzzling rambling subtle tangled thorny ticklish unclear unfathomable unintelligible vexing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear easy

WEAK

calm free friendly manageable plain simple sociable straightforward uncomplicated

ADJECTIVE

marvelous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astonishing astounding awe-inspiring awesome breathtaking extraordinary fabulous fantastic implausible improbable incredible miraculous phenomenal remarkable singular spectacular strange stunning unbelievable unusual wonderful wondrous

WEAK

bewildering difficult to believe incomprehensible inconceivable prodigious staggering striking stupendous supernatural surprising unimaginable unlikely

Antonyms

STRONGEST

believable boring common commonplace credible customary familiar likely normal ordinary plausible possible regular run-of-the-mill standard tenable usual

WEAK

expected inconsiderable insignificant paltry plain unamazing

ADJECTIVE

misleading

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous deceitful disingenuous evasive false inaccurate puzzling wrong

STRONG

beguiling bewildering deceiving deluding distracting perplexing

WEAK

casuistical catchy delusive delusory demagogic fallacious sophistical specious spurious tricky

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accurate correct frank honest right sincere straight truthful

ADJECTIVE

striking

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arresting astonishing bizarre compelling conspicuous dazzling eye-catching fascinating handsome impressive marked memorable noteworthy noticeable outstanding powerful remarkable salient singular startling stunning surprising telling unusual wonderful wondrous

STRONG

charming commanding distinguished dynamite electrifying signal staggering

WEAK

arrestive attractive cogent drop-dead forceful forcible jazzy lofty out of the ordinary prominent showy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bad boring common homely inconsequential inconspicuous ineffective insignificant normal obscure ordinary poor regular ugly unimportant unimpressive unnoticeable unremarkable usual weak

WEAK

horrifying

NOUN

confusion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bewilderment disorientation distraction embarrassment turbulence turmoil

STRONG

abashment agitation befuddlement bemusement chagrin commotion demoralization discomfiture dither flap fluster lather perplexity perturbation pother puzzlement stew tumult

WEAK

abashing addling befuddling blurring cluttering disarranging discomfiting disturbing dumbfounding embarrassing embroiling mixup mystification obscuring perplexing stirring up tangling unsettling upsetting

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm peace

STRONG

calmness happiness

WEAK

clarity composure method order organization orientation sense system

NOUN

misapprehension

Synonyms

STRONG

confusion delusion error misconception misconstruction misinterpretation misreckoning mistake mix up

WEAK

false impression misjudgment

Antonyms

STRONG

accuracy certainty correction truth understanding

NOUN

misinterpretation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

misconception misjudgment

STRONG

confusion delusion error misapprehension misconstruction misreckoning mistake mix up

WEAK

false impression

Antonyms

STRONG

accuracy certainty correction truth understanding

NOUN

misunderstanding

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confusion error misconception misinterpretation misjudgment mistake mix up

STRONG

delusion misapprehension misconstruction misreckoning

WEAK

false impression

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accuracy certainty correction truth understanding

WEAK

agreement comprehension concord concurrence harmony peace

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Eli An analyst noted thin details and potential confounding factors.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

The film, written by Soderbergh’s frequent collaborator Ed Solomon, quietly asks the questions confounding creatives in the tech-obsessed age.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

The study is cross-sectional, which means it cannot determine cause and effect and may be influenced by confounding factors or reverse causation.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

Playing a confounding, cantankerous old painter who hasn’t touched a canvas in at least 20 years, Mr. McKellen delivers yet another marvelous late-career highlight.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The paradigm was simple enough to make their behavior confounding: Good/Bad.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

confounding

Example Sentences

Related Words