con·fed·er·ate
kən-ˈfe-d(ə-)rət 
1
: united in a league : allied
2
Confederate
: of or relating to the Confederate States of America
plural confederates
1
: ally, accomplice
2
Confederate
: an adherent of the Confederate States of America or their cause
con·fed·er·ate
kən-ˈfe-də-ˌrāt
confederated; confederating
: to unite in a confederacy
: to band together
Examples of confederate in a Sentence
Noun
the Yankees and the Confederates
the police were able to track down his confederates once the thief started talking
Verb
the nations confederated in order to lower international trade barriers
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
The movement has led to police reform bills and the removal of Confederate symbols in some states.
—Leslie Hoyle Guerra, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
During the campaign, this was one of the private residences used as a makeshift hospital for wounded Confederates, hundreds of whom are believed to be buried in a mass grave a scant 50 feet from the house.
—Jim Beaugez, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Rowling and longtime confederates Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts are exec producing, so she is expected to be involved in the decision-making on the series.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confederate
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Adjective
While refusing to fight for the Confederacy and trying to reach safety in Mexico, the group was ambushed by Confederate soldiers on horseback in the 1862 Battle of the Nueces, also called the Nueces massacre.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
The movement has led to police reform bills and the removal of Confederate symbols in some states.
—Leslie Hoyle Guerra, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
Players can enrich themselves and their confederates, at least until they’re caught.
—David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
During the campaign, this was one of the private residences used as a makeshift hospital for wounded Confederates, hundreds of whom are believed to be buried in a mass grave a scant 50 feet from the house.
—Jim Beaugez, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Reality-show judges could include Taylor and Travis confederates: Tree Paine, Sabrina Carpenter, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, and Patrick Mahomes.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Rowling and longtime confederates Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts are exec producing, so she is expected to be involved in the decision-making on the series.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confederate
Cite this Entry
“Confederate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confederate. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
confederate
1 of 3 adjective
con·fed·er·ate
kən-ˈfed-(ə-)rət
1
: united in a league : allied
2
capitalized
: of or relating to the Confederate States of America
Confederate money
confederate
2 of 3 noun2
capitalized
: a soldier, citizen, or supporter of the Confederate States of America
confederate
3 of 3 verb
con·fed·er·ate
kən-ˈfed-ə-ˌrāt
confederated; confederating
: to unite in a confederacy
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