Synonyms of confide

confide

verb

kən-ˈfīd 

as in to hand

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hand
• leave
• give
• transfer
• trust
• entrust
• delegate
• recommend
• relinquish
• intrust
• deliver
• commend
• pass
• commit
• transmit
• grant
• lend
• consign
• hand over
• vest
• repose
• confer
• turn over
• will
• loan
• submit
• assign
• give over
• dispense
• distribute
• furnish
• bequeath
• divide
• deal (out)
• surrender
• disperse
• supply
• turn in
• yield
• hand in
• recommit
• hand down
• release
• advance
• hand on
• retransmit
• retransfer
• redeliver

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• hold
• retain
• withhold
• possess
• own
• receive
• accept
• take
• detain
• reserve
• hold back
• occupy
• take in
• take over

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

Recent Examples of confide

So his warm, garrulous letters to her must have been hugely flattering, as if a reporter today received a string of confiding e-mails from Bruce Springsteen. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

One of the people in whom Palmer confided about her marital issues at the time was Caroline, a potter who, along with her builder husband, Phillip, had been living on the Woodstock property and working as a caretaker. —Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025

Celebrity esthetician Joanna Czech has confided her fandom to Vogue. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025

While there, Harper overhears crucial news in the bathroom, where Sweet Pea is confiding to Yasmin that her web of new grad connections throughout the bank has led her to believe that Pierpoint has taken an outsized bet on ESG funds. —Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024