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 two companies entrusted perfumers Marie Salamagne and Fabrice Pellegrin to create the juice.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Santos became a constant starter, bolstering his box-crashing reputation with 10 league goals in 2024-25, and then-manager Liam Rosenior entrusted him with the captaincy on occasion.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Students who took the stand described a heated exchange over Anthony’s refusal on a rainy spring day to leave a tent that belonged to Metcalf’s team.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Keep the promise that matters, then leave room for improvisation.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The bold reforms, which Tinubu’s government argues saved the economy and handed the government more money, were cheered by investors but resulted in soaring inflation.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • He was handed a wild card to play doubles at Wimbledon this year but lost in the first round.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Wrangle the camera crew, line up the weirdly uninspiring but nonetheless eye-wateringly expensive homes, and for the love of God, somebody give the British TV presenting duo Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp a ring.
    Lauren O’Neill, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor splashed a wide-open triple from the top of the arc with 30 seconds to go to give tie the game, and then broke the visitors hearts to improve the Sky’s record to 14-22.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Stir in the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, then transfer to a small bowl.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • After that point, it would likely be transferred to another shelter that is more suitable for pigs outside of Los Angeles.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The con supplies the plot, but the movie is really about what happens when people who lie for a living start trusting one another.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • When a program cheats on the very test to catch dangerous behavior, that test and program can no longer be trusted.
    John Caruso, Hartford Courant, 20 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
  • Instead of a pomade stick, Tauber recommends using Oribe Gel Sérum on coils, applying a generous amount around the hairline before smoothing it back with a boar bristle brush.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Early retention affects whether Roblox recommends the experience.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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