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 His son-in-law, Nick, in whom June had confided the plan earlier in the hour. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 29 Apr. 2025 The girl confided to her foster parent that she had been abused numerous times by Boyd — but investigators unearthed the full extent of her horrific treatment in a series of interviews over weeks, court documents said. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025 One morning, the two of them went for a run, during which Paul confided that she was professionally demoralized. Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 No bombs threats, no shooting and shouting, but a tender moment at Stabler's late wife's grave, in which the infamous tough guy tenderly confides his excitement that their son Eli (Nicky Torchia) will soon become a father. EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • Foxx has centered her criticism on establishment Democrats circling the wagons for establishment candidates, noting that three senior Democratic members of Congress died within the first six months of Trump’s second term, handing Republicans a larger advantage.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The Supreme Court has handed Trump one victory after another in his effort to remake the federal government, after lower courts have found the administration’s actions probably violate federal law.
    Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Cut lemons tend to lose their moisture quickly, especially if left exposed to air in the fridge.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
  • The public version of her backstory is one of personal loss: widowed and left financially devastated by her husband’s gambling, she’s forced to raise her grandson after the death of her daughter in a car accident.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • After the winners were announced, the couples were given two envelopes, one of which contained the $100,000 cash prize and the other didn’t.
    Giana Levy, Variety, 14 July 2025
  • Three spacious pools give you the choice between a saltwater mini-lap pool, the beach infinity pool or the adult pool which is conveniently located just step away from the Veuve Clicquot champagne bar.
    Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Osorio-Piedra will now be held without bond in the Detention Center until he can be transferred to the state Department of Corrections.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
  • Doyle started his college career at Coastal Carolina before transferring to Mississippi for his sophomore year and then on to Tennessee.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • As someone who reviews a new laptop almost every week, trust me: Just buy it.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
  • While 14% of voters trust him a lot and another 28% trust him somewhat, 32% don’t trust him at all.
    Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Aside from that, Sheppard has been entrusted with the keys to Houston’s offense.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The same stitch is still used to create a Birkin bag, which takes between 18 and 24 hours to make, and is sewn entirely by hand by a single artisan who has undergone years of training before being entrusted with the job.
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Designers must create interaction models that allow people to delegate tasks, supervise actions or take over when needed.
    Antara Dave, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • When results and relationships had settled, Robson was able to delegate.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Though flats are not her favorite shoe silhouette, Dr. Hubbard highly recommends these Vionic ballet flats for their rare blend of style and support.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 20 July 2025
  • Though the shooter pleaded guilty to murdering Gina – whom her father fondly remembers for her smile, her personality and her desire to help others – and 16 students and staff, the jury did not unanimously recommend the death penalty, resulting in a sentence of life without parole.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 20 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!