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 But during the March video conference, Colorado regulators confided to industry lobbyists that the tool for rooting out fraud isn’t working. Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 15 May 2026 In video testimony last week, Toner said a starting point for the decision to oust Altman was when OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, a respected AI scientist, reached out to confide some of his own concerns. ABC News, 11 May 2026 Patriarch George confides to his descendants in a personal realization about his lengthy time on Fremont Ave. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 May 2026 Aylesworth says her mother previously confided that Brian Hooker choked her. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • Consumers are also entrusting AI with consequential financial tasks.
    Nicole Casperson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Steve Schultz, senior vice president of Purdue University, said the institution is in discussions with the government of Kiribati over a potential agreement that would entrust Purdue with custody of the wreckage.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • WireImage Three days after Jeongyeon became the first TWICE member to leave JYP Entertainment in the group’s eleven-year history, Chaeyoung has announced her own departure.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities are searching for the driver of a van who struck a man in a wheelchair in Dania Beach and fled the scene, leaving the victim injured and his wheelchair damaged.
    Abby Dodge, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Osorio said he was handed the baby, a boy, and gave him to a police officer, who took him to an ambulance.
    Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Arizona Cardinals released him this offseason and handed their starting job to Jacoby Brissett, Murray's former backup.
    Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The pact gives Saudi Arabia a powerful new layer of protection beyond its longstanding security partnership with the United States amid growing regional doubts over whether Washington can still be relied upon to protect its oil-rich Gulf allies.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • McIntosh’s Bryan Boone, the county’s building and zoning administrator, said just shy of 30 feet was the minimum given the flood risk.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Rivadeneira’s husband, Elias Vera, was quickly transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Folkston, a small Georgia town that sits just north of the Florida border.
    Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • He has since been transferred to federal custody after receiving treatment at a hospital, according to CNN affiliate WABC.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In their place, new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa will need to trust that a younger group will step up.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Virgo August 23 – September 22 Your inner clarity gets easier to trust today.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Make Trustees Part of the Strategy This cannot be delegated to government relations or communications offices.
    David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • If elected in November, Lake plans to delegate additional county funding to the Jackson County Public Health Department in order to mitigate drug use issues.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Conti recommends setting up a simple observation board made from cardboard and covering it with a white sheet.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, there’s a range of percentages—called the acceptable macronutrient distribution range—recommended for each individual macronutrient.
    Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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