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 When Wole had confided his intention to propose, Mrs. Abiola had volunteered her own mother’s ring to offer to Jean. David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025 From the playground to the dorm rooms, they’re encouraged to talk about what’s happening in their lives—confiding about crushes, work stress, or family drama—to narrate the small, daily moments that shape their world. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Sep. 2025 Sophie Rottenberg, 29, died by suicide after confiding for months in a ChatGPT AI therapist called Harry, her mother shared in an op-ed published in The New York Times on Aug. 18. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 This was caused by the participants feeling unheard and invalidated when confiding their concerns to people who engaged in toxic positivity. Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • That Carroll, one of the most accomplished coaches of his generation, entrusted the Las Vegas offense to Kelly seems to have been a massive whiff.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • In Kelly, the Dolphins will entrust day-to-day interim GM duties, for now, to a former All-Academic SEC receiver at Kentucky with expertise in computer science, 18 years of player evaluation in various roles and a kind heart.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Even leaving these facts aside, neither the doctrinaire socialism nor militant Islam have ever improved any place on earth, and New York City will not be the first.
    Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • To keep her safe Hekate’s mother leaves her in the underworld with the goddess Styx and Hades.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Finally, there’s the fact that the Blazers are handing him the gig, with Clingan playing 30 minutes in the opener against Minnesota.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • With 43 seconds on the clock and a timeout in his back pocket, Albin chose the conservative route, handing the ball off twice and forgoing a Hail Mary to send the game to the half knotted up.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Most analysts who spoke with said that the Senate will be a tougher feat for Democrats than the House, although there is still a lot up in the air, given ongoing and potentially upcoming redistricting plans and rules.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Soeren Stache | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Microsoft is giving employees a way to raise concerns about the uses of its technology after controversy emerged over the company's work in the Middle East.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Leading the team was 6-foot-7 Lithuanian forward Gytis Nemiksa, who transferred from Xavier after the 2023-24 season.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The process, which is necessary for Starship to reach distant destinations, is a complex one requiring two vehicles equipped with docking adapters to meet up in orbit to transfer hundreds of tons of super-cooled propellant.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • That’s not unique to New York, of course, and CEOs are concerned that the next generation of leaders doesn’t trust that business or government is on their side.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Master your emotions and trust that what’s meant to be, will be.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Someone hip enough to relate to kids, young enough to evolve, confident enough to delegate and stubborn enough to chase championships.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Nyx called on the crowd to defend immigrant rights in the wake of Idaho’s signed 287(g) agreement, which allows ICE to delegate immigration enforcement to the state police.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In September, advisors to the CDC recommended that everyone consult a health-care provider when deciding whether to receive a shot – softer guidance to receive the jab than in previous years.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Every month, Emma Alpern and Jasmine Vojdani recommend new fiction and nonfiction books.
    Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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