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 At a recent legacy nonprofit gala, a colleague confided that the event was the same thing—and the same people—year after year. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Then Rocha saw him a year later, and the student confided that college just wasn’t for him. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • To all the incredible endorsers who entrusted me with your name, who took time out of your schedule to come campaign with us.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Jets conducted an exhaustive search for their coach and general manager in 2025, and Johnson could entrust Mougey with those decisions this time.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Lombardo declined to participate in an October candidate forum hosted by KUNR Public Radio, leaving Ford to appear alone.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey leaves the home of supporter Pam Carr Hagerman for more campaigning in West Dundee on July 22, 2022.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The central bank's board voted unanimously late Monday to put Ueno Bank into resolution and hand its management to officials charged with assessing its finances and protecting its assets, the regulator said Tuesday.
    — EMILIO SANABRIA, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The win handed Democrats their 53rd Senate seat, padding what has proved to be a dominant victory across the board.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Joji Waites, director of flight safety, policy and regulation at the British Air Line Pilots Association, said airline assessors grade a threat as red, amber or green, but that an amber verdict would never be given if the plane is airborne.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Wiles gave Trump her resignation Thursday night, a person familiar with the events told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe the private conversation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The stacks sit close to a processor and use a wide interface to transfer many bits in parallel.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • She was then placed in one car and later transferred to another, Toczylowski said.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Test the color directly on your mouth rather than trusting a hand swatch, Vogue India’s makeup artist guide recommends.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Allow the old patch to be trusted for four years and counting, and successful exploitation is almost inevitable.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Many enterprises are delegating decision making and execution authority to software, subject to explicit boundaries and oversight.
    — Lakshmanan Alagappan, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • After the Dodgers were eliminated from the postseason, continuing to delegate contract discussions to Scott also allowed Bates to focus on his family, which was especially important in the wake of a family member falling very ill.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Breakfast is currently available both in the Riverside Lounge or in-room—the latter definitely recommended, ideally on the balcony table for a particularly serene start to the day.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Three factions -- all aligned with Netanyahu's religious-nationalist base -- recommended Netanyahu be given a chance to form a coalition government, while a fourth -- led by a former Netanyahu ally turned rival -- recommended Eisenkot.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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