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
  • The Giants are entrusting Bryce Eldridge, their 21-year-old rookie, with the job of protecting Devers in the lineup.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • My teenage aunts, entrusted with the care of thousands of white larvae feasting on lush, thick mulberry leaves, had to get up in the middle of the night to scatter more leaves into the trays.
    Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That leaves Christina Koch as the only crew member still on the active astronaut rolls.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Giffords was shot during an assassination attempt in 2011 but has stayed active in politics since leaving Congress.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Recent polling handed Sand a slight edge over Lahn, with Emerson College Polling showing a 49%-46% split in the Democrat’s favor.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For more than a decade, the internet handed entrepreneurs a remarkable shortcut.
    Richard McSweeney, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Venice Film Festival has also given us plenty of major beauty moments—and Mary Beth Barone really brought it for her first turn on the lido.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Lindsay Clancy jury says it's still deadlocked, judge gives 'dynamite instruction' Lindsay Clancy jury can't agree.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In the event of an incident, the current system requires a medical team to reach the driver after an incident, make an assessment and then transfer him to the medical center.
    Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • So the little zip zip of the print head inside is actually heating up the dye ribbon in the cartridge and transferring over a layer of color at a time.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The second might sound unnecessary, but trust the experts here—visit a doctor and get a prescription.
    Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
  • How can any of the Clippers partners or sponsors or fans trust this team with their dollars or their time or their affection after they were apparently caught knowingly breaking one of the NBA’s cardinal rules?
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about approving the legislation that would delegate authority on digital assets between the two agencies while missing commissioners.
    Davis Giangiulio,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That capability cannot be delegated to a committee charter, however well drafted.
    Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The renovations were initially recommended by the current executive director and former vice president of facilities at the Kennedy Center, Matt Floca.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • If your lawn grass was already quite thin, topdressing with a thin layer of quality topsoil is recommended.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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