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 This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026 The game warden who conducted my background check confided that the state is so hard up for hunte-ed instructors that hunting experience is no longer a requirement for teaching the class. The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025 The investigation began in July 2016, when a church member in whom Taylor confided reported the claims to officials at the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the lawsuit says. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 White once confided that just about everyone on the UFC roster wants to get the call for the event, and Buffer echoed those sentiments. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • That men like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are entrusted with businesses of tectonic influence can be difficult to understand, but their cults of personality have been able to survive scrutiny, perhaps because the money itself is too imposing a firewall for their own stupidity to penetrate.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2026
  • For Terry, there’s a deep pride in the endowment that’s been entrusted to her care.
    Brian McCollum, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That could leave the nomination in limbo and Powell still in charge.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Evans wound up taking less money to leave Tampa Bay and sign with the 49ers.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After a bit of back-and-forth, one of the crew members grabbed a plastic bag and handed it to a tall, radiantly handsome Canadian actor named Marc.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The scrums and after-whistle activity that defined the first period of Game 2 and much of Game 1 simply were not there in Game 3, with the Lightning seemingly content to play between the whistles in an effort to avoid handing the Canadiens power plays in bunches.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Suzuki’s long ball was part of a three-run seventh, which helped give the Cubs a five-run cushion.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Korean gochujang paste gives the dish fiery, funky heat.
    Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Phillips, a starter after transferring from Tennessee State, impressed scouts with his physical play, tackling and run defense.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Tibbetts went to high school at Jefferson before transferring to a school in Sioux Falls as a junior.
    Annie Costabile, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His elite pass protection and calm feet mean he can be trusted immediately to keep the quarterback clean on passing downs, while also providing a high-effort presence on special teams.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Media influencers have no influence outside of the fake news media, whose polls can’t be trusted.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Fire delegated the effort of digestion from belly to boiling pot.
    Big Think, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
  • News outlets tasked with dealing with commenters often delegate comment moderation—the oversight of reader comments, intervention, and, possibly, deletion of problematic content—to journalists themselves.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Good Jobs First report recommends that all states fully report their losses from data center tax breaks, including how those incentives affect local revenue streams.
    Kevin Hardy, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
  • This is why Rubens recommends focusing on determinate varieties of tomatoes.
    Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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