entrust

verb en·trust \ in-ˈtrəst , en- \

variants: or less commonly intrust play \in-ˈtrəst\

Definition of entrust

transitive verb

1 :to confer a trust on; especially :to deliver something in trust to

2 :to commit to another with confidence

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entrustment

play \in-ˈtrəs(t)-mənt, en-\ noun

See entrust defined for English-language learners

See entrust defined for kids

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 of entrust from the Web

This comes after Trump met with the Russian foreign minister in May and reportedly boasted about highly classified intelligence he had been entrusted with by a foreign partner — a major breach of espionage etiquette.

— cindy otis, Teen Vogue, "9 Ways Trump Has Endangered National Security," 9 Aug. 2017
Peter Capece surrendered his law license in 2015 after admitting in court documents to misappropriating nearly $1.6 million entrusted to him as executor of the estate of Fritz Detmers of Denver, N.C., who died at age 78 in 2009.

— joe marusak and maria david, charlotteobserver, "Disbarred lawyer imprisoned for embezzling from late client’s estate," 28 July 2017
The scouts are the ones entrusted with judging where the bargains might be found, or at least the small value edges that can pay off down the road.

— bob ford, Philly.com, "Phillies season now belongs to GM Matt Klentak | Bob Ford," 12 July 2017
The author and creator of life has entrusted us with our first child – wow.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "New Mom Tori Roloff ‘Can’t Wait to Meet’ Her ‘Sweet Niece’ as She Celebrates Pregnant Sister-in-Law Audrey," 3 July 2017
The sponsors who have placed children directly into harm’s way by entrusting them to violent criminal organizations will be held accountable for their role in these conspiracies.

— jenny jarvie, latimes.com, "Immigrant rights groups blast new ICE policy they say targets parents of child migrants," 30 June 2017
Your spirit has been a bit shaken by entrusting other people with plans.

— astro poets, Bon Appetit, "Run Outside, Because Your July Horoscopes Are Here with Ice Cream Truck Treats," 29 June 2017
Thank you for entrusting us with your time for 8 years.

— ella ceron, Teen Vogue, ""Pretty Little Liars" Stars Instagram Memories at Series End," 28 June 2017
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, said the app was not blocked in any other countries, adding that if the app is banned in Russia then the government officials will entrust their communications to other countries' messengers.

— reuters, Fortune, "Russia Threatens to Ban Telegram Messaging App," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entrust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of entrust

1593

entrust Synonyms

Synonyms

assign, charge, commission, task, trust

Antonyms

hold, keep, retain

Related Words

confer, impose; commit, confide, consign, delegate, recommend, relegate, repose; allocate, allot; authorize, empower, invest

Near Antonyms

detain, hold back, reserve, withhold; own, possess; accept, receive, take in; occupy, take, take over

Synonym Discussion of 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

ENTRUST Defined for English Language Learners

entrust

verb

Definition of entrust for English Language Learners

: to give someone the responsibility of doing something or of caring for someone or something

ENTRUST Defined for Kids

entrust

verb en·trust \ in-ˈtrəst \

Definition of entrust for Students

entrusted; entrusting

1 :to give care of something to

They entrusted me with their money.

2 :to give to another with confidence

I'll entrust the job to you.

Law Dictionary

entrust

transitive verb en·trust

variants: also intrust

legal Definition of entrust

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

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