1
as in accomplice
one associated with another in wrongdoing
the police were able to track down his confederates once the thief started talking
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2
as in supporter
someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support
relied on her confederates in the medical community for support
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to cooperate
to form or enter into an association that furthers the interests of its members
the nations confederated in order to lower international trade barriers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in allied
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confederate
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Players can enrich themselves and their confederates, at least until they’re caught.
—David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Mark Sherman, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2024
The Kinfolk app’s launch comes as fierce debate rages about the monuments staring down at us from city centers: those that pay tribute to confederate leaders, slave owners, or other tarnished once-heroes.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 21 Nov. 2022
Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
The series somewhat downplays the real-life danger: In the show, men in a truck wagging a confederate flag egg Ali’s lodge.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for confederate
Noun
As the fallout continues, and fans question the filming and casting decisions of parent company Disney, Paul’s MomTok confederates are issuing statements and subtweets.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Players can enrich themselves and their confederates, at least until they’re caught.
—David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
After Congress passed an amnesty for most of the former confederates the measure targeted in 1872, the provision fell into disuse until dozens of suits were filed to keep Trump off the ballot this year.
—Mark Sherman, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2024
The Kinfolk app’s launch comes as fierce debate rages about the monuments staring down at us from city centers: those that pay tribute to confederate leaders, slave owners, or other tarnished once-heroes.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 21 Nov. 2022
Adjective
More than 2,000 confederate symbols remain across the country, and some have even been restored including those Virginia schools reclaiming their names.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
The series somewhat downplays the real-life danger: In the show, men in a truck wagging a confederate flag egg Ali’s lodge.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for confederate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confederate
Noun
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Investigators are looking into whether there are more burial sites and any accomplices.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
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He’s unexpectedly visited by Little John (Bill Skarsgård), once one of his underage criminal accomplices, and asked to help defend the younger man’s family and homestead from vengeful past foes.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The pending bill’s supporters say its changes are designed to address cases like that of Gilberto Guttierrez, a Los Angeles County man who has been accused of attacking his wife four times over the last 12 years.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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One of those fans was England supporter Sebastian Oldfield.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Verb
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As a matter of practice, the district cooperates fully with any review conducted by the Office for Civil Rights.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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As part of his plea deal, Heuermann has also agreed to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's behavioral analysis unit.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Germany’s representatives to the treaty conference protested vigorously and signed the treaty only under threat of an allied invasion that would begin within a week.—
Pamela Avila,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
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Hegseth also raised issue with the financial contributions of allied nations and threatened to withhold dues if allies don’t meet their defense spending commitments.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Longtime transatlantic partners now differ on issues ranging from the conduct and conclusion of the Iran war to support for Ukraine; meanwhile, Japan fears the US is prioritizing accommodating China over backing its Asian allies.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
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Throughout June and into the later summer months, Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community and its allies are coming together through wellness events, festivals and large-scale celebrations that continue to strengthen the city’s culture of acceptance and belonging.—
Amari Riley
June 16,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Outside the stadium, protesters clashed over Iran’s oppressive regime and its place in the tournament as players vowed to rise above politics and unite Iranians through soccer.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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With the family seemingly united on this front, all eyes now turn to whether the court will allow Nick to use the trust.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Until Congress enacts a uniform national ban on partisan gerrymandering, the amendment’s advocates argue New York shouldn’t fight with its hands tied behind its back.—
Jeffrey M. Wice,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
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My colleague Michael Scherer reported on the administration’s decision to supersede America250, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to celebrating this year’s Independence Day, with a partisan analogue, Freedom 250.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Bryant’s book follows the lives of Robinson and Robeson, two high-profile African Americans whose lives were altered during the Cold War and its hunt for communist sympathizers.—
Bob Kustra,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
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In a society traumatized by the violence of the last 70 years, the new president came to power seeking to resume the path established by the 2016 peace agreement, in which about 13,000 FARC combatants and sympathizers exchanged armed struggle for amnesty and state protection.—
Roberto Andrés,
The Dial,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confederate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confederate. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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