Synonym Chooser

How is the word confide distinct from other similar verbs?

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

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

When is commit a more appropriate choice than confide?

While in some cases nearly identical to confide, 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

When could consign be used to replace confide?

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

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

Where would entrust be a reasonable alternative to confide?

In some situations, the words entrust and confide are roughly equivalent. However, entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

When would relegate be a good substitute for confide?

The words relegate and confide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 confide His son-in-law, Nick, in whom June had confided the plan earlier in the hour. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 29 Apr. 2025 The girl confided to her foster parent that she had been abused numerous times by Boyd — but investigators unearthed the full extent of her horrific treatment in a series of interviews over weeks, court documents said. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025 One morning, the two of them went for a run, during which Paul confided that she was professionally demoralized. Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 No bombs threats, no shooting and shouting, but a tender moment at Stabler's late wife's grave, in which the infamous tough guy tenderly confides his excitement that their son Eli (Nicky Torchia) will soon become a father. EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • After her first two England camps in charge in September 2021, Wiegman — in the absence of former England captain Steph Houghton — handed Williamson the armband.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • One day in his office, he was handed five new lawsuits.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Only three of the top seven players in the world are left in the draw.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • Capital Gains: Stability Reigns Surprisingly, the legislation leaves capital gains rates untouched.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • By contrast, people given placebo injections lost around 200 grams.
    Rachel Fieldhouse, Scientific American, 1 July 2025
  • The result gives your look an effortless dose of cool when tucked into anything from black jeans to colorful wide-leg trousers.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
  • Use tongs or a large spoon to transfer a few pieces of the boozy fruit into each cup.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Managerial flexibility means equipping and trusting managers with the authority, tools, and confidence to act in the moment — and letting go of the need to wait for direction from above.
    Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Olay filled that gap in a way no one else really had, and that’s a big part of why so many women trusted it—and still do.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Yes, the relievers lost five of the 21 leads with which they were entrusted during this stretch of 35 games in 37 days.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
  • These include service accounts, API keys, machine credentials and, increasingly, autonomous AI agents that are deeply integrated into core business systems, entrusted with accessing sensitive data and executing tasks without human oversight.
    Arun Shrestha, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The responsibility of drafting specific regulations and implementing the reporting standards was delegated to the California Air Resources Board.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • In a 6-3 ruling, the court rejected arguments that Congress had not delegated the FCC sufficient authority to collect money from telecommunications companies or to set up a nonprofit corporation, the Universal Service Administrative Co., to manage the USF program.
    Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • If your test results show a deficiency, the provider may recommend vitamin D supplements.
    Health, Health, 26 June 2025
  • Granite, marble, travertine, and other natural stones are porous, so cleaning them with rubbing alcohol isn’t recommended.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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