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 The problem with Dolan, this person confided, was that the owner fancied himself knowledgeable about basketball. Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • Throughout his career, Satsky has been entrusted with highly confidential information involving some of the largest and most significant transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors, his lawyer, Anello said.
    Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Now Norvell enters 2026 firmly on the hot seat, entrusting his future to another transfer quarterback.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • First, the power goes out, leaving Bret wandering the halls as lights flicker around him.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Top Gear has not been on air since 2022, but a return was always likely, given the BBC Studios franchise is too big to leave in the garage.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In addition, Pitarch has been handed an improved contract and is now considered a first-team player, despite retaining a Castilla squad number.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Days after the government reopened, the department signed agreements handing billions in grant programs to other federal agencies.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Suggest the plan, capture the takeaways, and give everyone one clear action.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Utilizing quick, short passes, Hayes completed 14 of his first 16 attempts, including a 26-yard touchdown strike to sophomore tight end Ian Figi that gave Naperville Central a 14-0 lead.
    Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In true Richards’ fashion, of course, Kyle transfers her distress into throwing yet another one of her overwrought white parties, whose guest list is filled with a caravan of beloved names in the Bravo-verse.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Daniels later pleaded guilty to assault and was shipped off to prison, but shortly before he was released in early 2018, he was transferred to Queensboro Correctional Facility in Long Island City and signed up for a prison college course.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • However, for the rest of the game, Brianna Turner and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus are closer to centers; Turner has offensive limitations while Hammon doesn’t appear to trust Parker-Tyus’ defense.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • If the agent trusts that third party, and that third party’s file points to an unclaimed package, the chain works the same way.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • So, delegating responsibility for crisis management to AI is not an option.
    Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Critics of consolidating pretrial under probation units say that law enforcement officers should not be delegated to deal with presumably innocent clients.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Arjun Bhatia, an analyst at William Blair who recommends buying Salesforce shares, said investors who turned negative on cloud software companies or eliminated their exposure altogether due to AI concerns, are starting to come back.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Yeo recommends keeping treats below 10% of a cat’s daily calories or using part of the regular food allowance as rewards.
    Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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