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 Instead, Shawn stages his story as a panel of intimate testimonies, confided to us alone. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026 Whitlock reveals that to keep news of Husky out of the press, Ike called war correspondents together and confided plans for Husky. Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026 Her work in this comprehensive anthology braids politics, gender, history and memory into confiding and powerful lyrics. Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • But those entrusted with the authority to use force must be trained to assess threat levels, evaluate proportional risk and employ non-lethal options before resorting to deadly force.
    Amy Stoddard, Baltimore Sun, 1 June 2026
  • Every so often, one guest will entrust Marcelina with a blank palette, and to get creative.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • People leaving Los Angeles and California are raising the cost of living in some red states after years of relocating from the left-leaning state.
    Lindsay Kornick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
  • Panish said Grossman then struck the two older boys at nearly 73 mph, sending Mark 252 feet down the road and leaving a Mercedes grille pattern on his body.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Tovar ambushed Kilian’s first offering, pulling a two-run homer over the left-field fence to hand the Giants their fourth straight loss.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
  • If the 5 in 5 rule means the clock is ticking on their college eligibility as soon as they’re handed a high school diploma, more Minnesota kids are likely to leave the prep ranks early.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • The Washington Nationals used Richard Lovelady, who blew Monday’s series opener, as an opener, followed by veteran Miles Mikolas for a bulk appearance, their most promising combination given their roster construction and arms available.
    Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
  • Further, current macroeconomic risks would call for more hedging, given that consumer sentiment may be pressured in the coming months by persistently higher oil prices, while decline in the savings rate could signal another sign of fragility, Murphy said.
    Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Fonenot transferred to Mater Dei Catholic School before this school year.
    Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
  • After arriving, those items will be transferred immediately into other outbound trucks, along with other incoming deliveries, and sent out to other warehouses.
    Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • In other words, the constraint is less about whether AI can buy things, but whether consumers actually trust the systems governing those purchases.
    Jacques Ledbetter, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • The one that trusts him back into his old life?
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Platforms delegate the illusion of control and trade on a libertarian myth to obscure the autocratic reality.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
  • In many arrangements, they were delegated not simply financial risk, but substantial operational authority including utilization management, specialty referral oversight, chronic disease management, care coordination, and in some cases claims payment functions themselves.
    Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Treatments—especially multi-hour experiences—are top-notch and highly recommended.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • Then on April 3rd, 2020, the CDC recommended people ages 2 years and older wear a cloth face covering in public.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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