variants also intrust
Definition of entrustnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word entrust distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of entrust are commit, confide, consign, and relegate. While all these words mean "to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose," entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

When is it sensible to use commit instead of entrust?

The meanings of commit and entrust largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can confide take the place of entrust?

In some situations, the words confide and entrust are roughly equivalent. However, confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

When can consign be used instead of entrust?

While the synonyms consign and entrust are close in meaning, consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

When is relegate a more appropriate choice than entrust?

The words relegate and entrust can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of entrust Before sentencing, the victim's mother delivered an emotional statement accusing Roberts of preying on a child entrusted to her care. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 The encyclical’s strongest warning is that lethal and irreversible decisions must never be entrusted to artificial systems. Vilas Dhar, Time, 10 June 2026 According to Cynthia Brown, senior ethics counsel at the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a decision to entrust stock to such close associates undermines the purpose of a blind trust, which is to ensure that a lawmaker’s investments are independently managed. Abe Streep, ProPublica, 9 June 2026 None of the rockets—Ariane 6, New Glenn, or Vulcan—to which Amazon originally entrusted the bulk of its missions had reached the launch pad when the company announced its massive launch order in 2022. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for entrust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for entrust
Verb
  • Some authors, librarians, and miscellaneous posters were outraged that Barnett would pour scorn on the very field that he is officially tasked with championing.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
  • The memorial effort dragged for years as the private onePulse Foundation, originally tasked to create it, stumbled and then collapsed amid excessive ambition that produced a plan for a $100 million memorial and museum the group had no ability to fund.
    Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Japan’s legal system has also been criticized for handing prosecutors too much power.
    Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • This time, Alex Vesia and Jack Dreyer handed a four-run lead to Edgardo Henriquez in the eighth inning.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • For Brier, the innovation lab has always been about research that establishes a neutral, unbiased view, one that clients can trust.
    Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • Santana was right not to trust Nemeth ahead of their match at Slammiversary.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • If a bear is calmly minding its own business 100 yards away, leave it alone and continue creating distance.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • The match became even more important after Spain, the heavy favorite to win Group H and a contender to win tournament, tied Cape Verde 0-0 in the earlier match, leaving the group lead up for grabs.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Mackinac National Park was established in 1875, but was deemed too expensive for the national government to maintain, so custody was later transferred to the state of Michigan, and has since become Mackinac Island State Park.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
  • Anthony was immediately taken into custody and later transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Pack Unit near Navasota to begin serving his sentence.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Seven years later, the FDA has given Colorado the go-ahead, but there's still a lot to be done.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 17 June 2026
  • From a box-score perspective, Brind’Amour’s case ranks similarly to that of Rick Tocchet, Bill Guerin and Ray Whitney, who are all unlikely to be inducted given other sure-thing candidates about to retire around the league.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • The verdict was delivered amid difficult personal circumstances for Mette-Marit, Hoiby’s mother, who needs a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
  • Half is now based on volume of water pumped, delivering an incentive to use less water.
    Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • The military relinquished its remaining ownership stake in the 1990s.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
  • The compromise is mainly symbolic since FCAS is a generic name for such systems and not unique to this plan, but officials have been seeking a formula allowing Macron to relinquish the core fighter without having to declare the whole project dead.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entrust. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on entrust

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster