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compound

kuhm-POWND /kəmˈpaʊnd/

verbB2GMATSATIELTS

formalfinancialtechnical

To make a difficult situation even worse by adding more problems to it.

Implies a layering effect—one problem is placed on top of another, making the whole situation more complex and harder to solve.

The story behind the word. From 'com-' (together) and 'ponere' (to put). It originally referred to mixing ingredients to make a medicine or a chemical. In the world of finance and conflict, it came to mean adding one thing to another so that they grow together into a larger, more daunting whole.

Word relationships

magnify: Magnify means to make something appear larger or more important; compound means to actually add to the substance of the problem.

simplify: Simplify means to make something less complex or easier to understand.

Commonly confused with

combine: Combine is a neutral term for joining things; compound (as a verb) usually has a negative connotation of making problems worse.

Word family

compounded (adjective): Made up of several parts or worsened by additional factors.

Collocations

compound the problem
compound the misery
compound interest

Example sentences

"The company's decision to hide its losses only served to compound its legal troubles when the truth finally emerged." Financial crisis
"Severe drought conditions were compounded by a sudden heatwave, leading to widespread crop failure." Environmental science

Memory hook

Think of 'compound interest'. Just as interest adds up over time, 'compounding' a problem means adding more layers of trouble. Compound: Add another layer.

When not to use

Do not confuse with the noun 'compound' (a mixture or enclosure). As a verb, it is about the accumulation of issues.

Fun facts

In chemistry, a compound is a substance formed from two or more elements; in conflict, it's a disaster formed from two or more problems.