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
  • Pahlavi, whose father was the last monarch overthrown during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, said Monday that Iran currently stands at a crossroads, warning that the West handing the current regime a lifeline would only result in more bloodshed.
    Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
  • But once the group noticed that Ginny had already died and turned to a zombie, Maggie could not finish the job, and instead handed her knife to Negan to finish off the young girl.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • However, LeMahieu's bat leaves plenty to be desired, his defense at second base is not the best and Chisholm is a better defender at second base than in the hot corner.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • That left officials urging victims and survivors to come forward and work with authorities to ensure accountability.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Westerdam is comfortably sized, with 958 cabins, giving guests plenty to do without feeling overwhelmed.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
  • Leo season gives us a chance to self-prioritize, stand out, and find our inner shine again.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
  • Use tongs or a large spoon to transfer a few pieces of the boozy fruit into each cup.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Olay filled that gap in a way no one else really had, and that’s a big part of why so many women trusted it—and still do.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
  • Managerial flexibility means equipping and trusting managers with the authority, tools, and confidence to act in the moment — and letting go of the need to wait for direction from above.
    Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Yes, the relievers lost five of the 21 leads with which they were entrusted during this stretch of 35 games in 37 days.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
  • These include service accounts, API keys, machine credentials and, increasingly, autonomous AI agents that are deeply integrated into core business systems, entrusted with accessing sensitive data and executing tasks without human oversight.
    Arun Shrestha, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The responsibility of drafting specific regulations and implementing the reporting standards was delegated to the California Air Resources Board.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • The 5th Circuit ruling focused on Congress delegating its taxing power to the FCC and the FCC then subdelegating that taxing power to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a private organization that administers the fund.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), made up of members recently hand-selected by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted 5-1 on Thursday to recommend against flu vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 June 2025
  • If your test results show a deficiency, the provider may recommend vitamin D supplements.
    Health, Health, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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