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 Recent headlines told the wrenching story of Sophie Rottenberg, a young woman who confided her suicidal plans to ChatGPT before taking her own life in February. Jonathan Alpert, Twin Cities, 9 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 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 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
  • It was treated as irrelevant, rather than as a co-equal branch entrusted with the gravest decision a republic can make.
    Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
  • There was little reason to entrust him with another term after such a massive failure.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The departure of Stockton and Warren leaves head coach Spencer Danielson with the task of replacing two secondary coaches.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Members of the Minneapolis City Council, in a joint statement, demanded that ICE leave the city following the shooting.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Trump came close to victory in the 2020 presidential election but may have contributed to the Republican Party’s defeat in the Georgia Senate runoff election, handing the Democratic Party full control of Washington for the first time since 2011.
    Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Grounds laid for a civil court appeal Before the judge handed the case to the jury Wednesday, the defense argued a statement by one of Zwerner’s attorneys that Parker did not testify in her defense could be seen as prejudicial by the jury.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Historically, the water’s purity was singular, giving life to a watershed that flourished because of a unique paucity of nutrients, a situation that hindered the pursuit of any single species that would dominate the rest.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter This Utopia Bedding comforter keeps my bed looking super fluffy and cloud-like and gives my bedroom an expensive look.
    Genevieve Cepeda, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Officers in certain other units, such as foot patrol and community resource officers, had been transferred to nightly patrol shifts.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Windward maritime intelligence analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann claimed the Marinera’s ownership had just been transferred to Burevestmarin LLC, a Russian company.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • There’s exposition when necessary; otherwise, the writers trust the intelligence of their audience, which feels rare nowadays.
    Jack King, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Rockwell trained Americans to trust this visual language.
    Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Many long-standing laws broadly delegate emergency powers to the President.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
  • During his tenure, Cheney worked closely with senior defense officials and focused on external strategy while delegating internal management.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Extra Seating Saab recommends removing any extra seating, such as poufs, stools, or dining chairs that often get pulled in from kitchens, bedrooms, or offices, to accommodate holiday gatherings.
    Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The cost of Kansas City’s temporary jail facility could jump by nearly $4 million as a city committee recommend additional funding and waiving environmental building standards to keep the project on track for completion before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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