Definition of confidenext

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 When Zane confided that his pet cat – Holly – once brought him back from the brink of suicide as a teenager, the chatbot responded that Zane would see her on the other side. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 The game warden who conducted my background check confided that the state is so hard up for hunte-ed instructors that hunting experience is no longer a requirement for teaching the class. The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025 The investigation began in July 2016, when a church member in whom Taylor confided reported the claims to officials at the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the lawsuit says. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 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 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • The legislative branch is constitutionally entrusted with the passage of legislation that, with the president’s signature, becomes law.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Our baby girl was entrusted to this facility in November 2024, seven years after this series of events began.
    Vaughan Bagley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These learnings now sit at the foundation of the Buahan concept and not only ensure that the hotel leaves a positive impact on the community, but also provide guests a level of immersion into the Balinese way of life that few other hotels of this caliber have managed to deliver.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • That leaves a sicker, older, more expensive pool of enrollees, which pushes up premiums for everyone.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The group was flown to Poland and transported to the Ukrainian border by US officials who then handed them over to Polish officials who escorted them across the border.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But passengers cannot just hand individual officers cash.
    Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • According to investigators, during the months she was held captive, the teen was barely given food and was forced to use a water jug as a toilet.
    CBS New York Team, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The law extended the program for two years, setting the current expiration deadline and giving lawmakers another opportunity to revisit possible reforms.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After being placed in the trunk of Aaron's car, she was driven for a bit, transferred to the trunk of another car, and driven for hours.
    Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The maps were never used, because Shakur was transferred from West Virginia to a prison in New Jersey.
    Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This is because American consumers trust the IIHS’s scientific and systematic safety evaluation methods.
    Keith Laing, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • For now, channel the ambition, trust the momentum, and know that the slower, more nourishing chapter is coming.
    Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The voice on Lars’s tablet insisted that teaching was one of the most obvious tasks to delegate to humanoids.
    Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
  • In the mid-2000s, Khamenei delegated some of his authority to the council to supervise the three branches of government.
    Eric Lob, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These days, just about everyone is recommending a different way to lose weight.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The next contenders According to the foundation’s rules, anyone can recommend a bar, restaurant or chef for an award.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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