1
as in accomplices
one associated with another in wrongdoing
the police were able to track down his confederates once the thief started talking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in supporters
someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support
relied on her confederates in the medical community for support
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cooperates
to form or enter into an association that furthers the interests of its members
the nations confederated in order to lower international trade barriers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 confederates
David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Trump reverted back to the names honoring confederates.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Players can enrich themselves and their confederates, at least until they’re caught.
—David French, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Trump reverted back to the names honoring confederates.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confederates
Noun
-
As Othman ran, Gonzales-Magallanes and the juvenile accomplices, who were armed with guns, exited their hiding spots in nearby bushes, prosecutors said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Inside the store, one of his accomplices, Derrick DeBruce, shot Battle, 34, in the back, killing him.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Somaliland’s supporters in Washington view the territory as a potential security ally, with recognition potentially allowing US intelligence to monitor weapons flows, Houthi activity in Yemen, and China’s growing footprint, including Beijing’s military base in neighboring Djibouti.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
If there have been too many mini-resets for the comfort of the supporters, a strength of Howe’s Newcastle has been absorbing lessons and responding, at least some of the time.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Combine that with annual appearances from the country’s best music ensembles and this fest is a sure winner no matter who is on stage — at least when the weather cooperates.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
If the weather cooperates next winter, the bulbs can perform well again.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The sudden reversal of fortunes comes as Jansa has been battling accusations of hiring an Israeli private intelligence company to sway the result following a series of video recordings reporting corruption among the prime minister's allies.—
Jan Bratanic Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
That effort has so far only led to tepid responses from allies, some of whom are against the war entirely.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The exec brought up how Arte federates a network of 14 public broadcasters, has programs available in seven languages, and maintains strong ties with the creative ecosystem across Europe.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
By demanding justice and dignity for the drug-war dead, were nuns, priests, pastors, and other sympathizers not protecting criminals?—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
However, politicians fear union voting power, and renters, landlords and sympathizers are often union folks and align with unions.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Held in Washington during the week of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, Semafor World Economy uniquely unites private and public sector leaders to exchange ideas that will shape the future of the world economy.—
Rachel Keidan,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The ground that unites the powerless against the powerful is always about to collapse.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In this deeply intimate and haunting documentary, Alan Berliner posthumously collaborates with his friend and colleague, experimental New York City filmmaker Benita Raphan, who died by suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Guilford Police Department regularly collaborates with affiliated agencies in conducting these complex investigations.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confederates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confederates. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
