confide

verb

con·​fide kən-ˈfīd 

confided; confiding

intransitive verb

1

: to have confidence : trust

We cannot confide wholly in our own powers.

2

: to show confidence by imparting secrets

confide in a friend

transitive verb

1

: to tell confidentially

He dared not confide the secret to his family.

2

: to give to the care or protection of another : entrust

… do not confide your children to strangers.

—Mavis Gallant

confider noun

Synonyms

• hand
• leave
• give
• transfer
• trust
• entrust
• delegate
• recommend
• relinquish
• intrust

Choose the Right Synonym for confide

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 confide in a Sentence

He confided that he was very unhappy with his job.

the local SPCA was looking for homes for a number of exotic animals confided to its care

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent headlines told the wrenching story of Sophie Rottenberg, a young woman who confided her suicidal plans to ChatGPT before taking her own life in February. —Jonathan Alpert, Twin Cities, 9 Oct. 2025

White once confided that just about everyone on the UFC roster wants to get the call for the event, and Buffer echoed those sentiments. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

When Wole had confided his intention to propose, Mrs. Abiola had volunteered her own mother’s ring to offer to Jean. —David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025

From the playground to the dorm rooms, they’re encouraged to talk about what’s happening in their lives—confiding about crushes, work stress, or family drama—to narrate the small, daily moments that shape their world. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

early Scots, borrowed from Latin confīdere "to put trust in, have confidence in," from con- con- + fīdere "to trust (in), rely (on)" going back to Indo-European *b^hei̯d^h- "trust, entrust" — more at faith entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing confide

• confide in

Rhymes for confide

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

confide

verb

con·​fide kən-ˈfīd 

confided; confiding

1

: to have confidence : trust

confide in a doctor's skill

2

: to show confidence by telling secrets

confided in her mother

3

: to tell in confidence

confide a secret to a friend

4

: entrust sense 1

confide one's safety to the police

confider noun

Etymology

Middle English confiden "to confide, trust," from early French confider or Latin confidere (both, same meaning), from Latin con-, com- "with, together" and fidere "to trust" — related to faith