Meaning & use

compounded

verb·Academic

Made a problem or difficulty worse by adding further factors or complications to it.

See it in a sentence

The delayed shipment was compounded by a sudden shortage of replacement parts.

His stress was compounded by the noise from ongoing construction next door.

A note on using this word

In finance, compounded interest is calculated on both the original amount and the interest already earned, causing growth to accelerate over time.

Words with a similar meaning

worsenedaggravated

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. verb

Calculated interest on both the principal and previously accumulated interest.

Her savings grew faster because the interest was compounded monthly rather than yearly.

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