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 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, 12 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 Instead, Shawn stages his story as a panel of intimate testimonies, confided to us alone. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • McConnell gets solid performances from his actors, none more so than Yurich, who obviously took a leap by entrusting his story to someone else but pours himself into the role to a degree that suggests complete trust.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • You are not simply assigned a room, you are temporarily entrusted with the care of an extraordinary beachfront home.
    Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • If a bear is calmly minding its own business 100 yards away, leave it alone and continue creating distance.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • The match became even more important after Spain, the heavy favorite to win Group H and a contender to win tournament, tied Cape Verde 0-0 in the earlier match, leaving the group lead up for grabs.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Making that fantasy feel believable required far more than putting Lestat in leather and handing him a microphone.
    Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • When fans walked into Globe Life Mall, they were handed a free sleeveless replica jersey for former Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, who happens to be Jewish.
    Mac Engel June 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Seven years later, the FDA has given Colorado the go-ahead, but there's still a lot to be done.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 17 June 2026
  • From a box-score perspective, Brind’Amour’s case ranks similarly to that of Rick Tocchet, Bill Guerin and Ray Whitney, who are all unlikely to be inducted given other sure-thing candidates about to retire around the league.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Mackinac National Park was established in 1875, but was deemed too expensive for the national government to maintain, so custody was later transferred to the state of Michigan, and has since become Mackinac Island State Park.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
  • Anthony was immediately taken into custody and later transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Pack Unit near Navasota to begin serving his sentence.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • For Brier, the innovation lab has always been about research that establishes a neutral, unbiased view, one that clients can trust.
    Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • Santana was right not to trust Nemeth ahead of their match at Slammiversary.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • What happens when every difficult task can be delegated to a machine?
    Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • The distinction is in determining which slice of the work is irreplaceable and the main purview of humans, and which slices can be delegated to AI.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Instead of committing to red paint or cabinetry, Trop recommends smaller pops of red in the kitchen, like with picture frames, chairs, or decor.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 14 June 2026
  • The doctor was optimistic that Caldwell’s recent discomfort came from tight muscles, rather than nerve damage, and recommended a stretching and strengthening regimen.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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