entrust

verb

en·​trust in-ˈtrəst 

en-

variants or less commonly intrust

in-ˈtrəst 

entrusted also intrusted; entrusting also intrusting; entrusts also intrusts

transitive verb

1

: to confer a trust on

especially : to deliver something in trust to

2

: to commit to another with confidence

entrustment

in-ˈtrəs(t)-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms

• assign
• charge
• commission
• task
• trust

Choose the Right Synonym for entrust

commit, entrust, confide, consign, relegate mean to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose.

commit may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody.

committed the felon to prison

entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

relegate implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion of getting rid of.

relegated to an obscure position in the company

Examples of entrust in a Sentence

She was entrusted with the job of organizing the reception.

we entrusted our financial adviser with the investment of all of our savings

Recent Examples on the Web

Such complex financial structures often are entrusted to a family member or close friend. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024

The Association recently petitioned the Holy See to be entrusted with direct oversight and responsibility for the governance of the Arlington monastery, according to Olson’s statement. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024

There’s a reason why homeowners and property managers have entrusted Brookens Construction to construct functional, beautiful, and cost-efficient homes and multifamily buildings for almost a decade. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

Here are the three main tasks the Hornets’ new chief decision maker must tackle first when he’s officially hired and entrusted to construct a roster talented enough to halt the NBA’s longest playoff drought. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024

For key appearances, the actress has entrusted Roach to style her in looks mainly designed by Louis Vuitton, Loewe, and Marc Jacobs. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024

The airline touts the group experience as one that can help fliers feel less alone and more at ease with entrusting their lives to strangers. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024

When her father dies, Alexandra Bergson is entrusted with the family farm and soon becomes prosperous, thanks to some canny risk-taking and her near-mystical identification with the land. —Chelsea Leu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024

Thus he and his 56 pounds of pot were entrusted to a stranger who drove a 2003 minivan with a dying transmission. —Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

entrust

verb

en·​trust in-ˈtrəst 

1

: to give into the care of another

entrust your savings to a bank

2

: to give custody, care, or charge of something to

entrust a bank with your savings

entrustment

-ˈtrəs(t)-mənt 

noun

Legal Definition

entrust

transitive verb

en·​trust

variants also intrust

1

: to deliver something to (a person) under a charge or duty

2

: to give (something) over to the care of another

specifically : to deliver to a merchant who may transfer ownership to a buyer in the ordinary course of business

—used especially in the Uniform Commercial Code see also negligent entrustment compare bail, consign

entrustment noun