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
  • After, Roelker earned the confidence of Musk and a key lieutenant, Mark Juncosa, who began entrusting him with increasingly important projects, including flight software for Falcon Heavy, Crew Dragon, early versions of Starship, and, of course, the Starlink Internet constellation.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026
  • The advisors entrusted with guiding substantial fortunes must combine technical expertise, strategic foresight and an ability to serve clients whose financial lives often span businesses, generations and continents.
    Riley de León, CNBC, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Yet robust economic growth has proved elusive, even as government debt has climbed, leaving successive administrations with little firepower to fix a growing list of related challenges, from crumbling infrastructure to a chronic housing shortage.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • Adis does the right thing and asks to leave the boat.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 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
  • Seoul — North Korea on Tuesday commissioned its largest-ever warship, a 5,000-ton destroyer that military analysts say could give Pyongyang’s adversaries something more to think about in a time of crisis.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • Dewey Burdock also joined the Fast-41 permitting program last year, giving it access to an accelerated federal review process reserved for priority infrastructure and critical mineral projects.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Junior Kris Carranza has transferred from Sierra Canyon to Agoura and is a top candidate to start.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • But instead of facing a criminal-court judge he was transferred to ICE custody and has remained there ever since.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Even with an experienced defence, including Brighton and Hove Albion’s player of the season, Ferdi Kadioglu, do not trust Turkey.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 June 2026
  • So people are touching the tools more frequently (and token costs keep climbing), but fewer people trust them.
    Julie Averill, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • This aims to streamline creative workflows, allowing users to delegate tasks and remain focused on inspiration.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Levine said that arrangement appeared inconsistent with Board of Governors regulations which establish that trustees must act collectively and limit the authority that can be delegated to individual board members.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who was recommended (although not formally endorsed) by DSA, was also reelected.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
  • Zapata recommends doing the task while in the shower by filling a dish wand with your favorite bathroom cleaner.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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