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
  • Principle entrusted the track to his friend Louie Gomez, who remixed it and passed it to DJ Frankie Knuckles.
    Eric Henderson, CBS News, 14 May 2026
  • After all, the thinking went, what frontier lab would want to entrust its data to a company almost half-owned by Meta?
    Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Soon after leaving school, the organization Fighting Words changed that for me.
    Via Riverhead, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • Rather than leave existing clients in the lurch, Lee allowed IDW to essentially inherit those accounts, allowing the fledgling business to become profitable within its first year of operation.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Din tries to simply hand the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, but this isn't an option.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2026
  • If left unaddressed, that vulnerability could hand Beijing enormous leverage over American industry for decades to come.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Simple and streamlined, this linen tank top is one of the most versatile additions to any travel wardrobe—I’m even eyeing it in a few different colors, given its affordable price tag.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
  • Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie gave him Washington’s name.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • The bright spots Saturday, at least in the early stages, was the play of the Evans defense, new quarterback Will Jackson and transfer running backs O’Ryan Hartfield, from Ocoee, and Davion Williams, from Poinciana.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026
  • The sentiment transfers well to potato salad.
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • From a $16 foldable duffle bag that fits a week’s worth of clothes to compression socks trusted by over 60,000 five-star reviewers, these travel deals are low in price but big on convenience.
    Erin Cavoto, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
  • Behind each of those cases is a client who paid a lawyer and trusted the system.
    Alexandra Smyth, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • That level of judgment cannot be delegated.
    Marcus Balzereit, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • The authority would also be able to delegate administration of specified sites to local authorities or corporations, subject to the council’s approval.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Given its high transmissibility, infectious disease experts recommend that healthcare workers dealing with Ebola patients wear head coverings, as well as goggles, masks or face shields, gloves, gowns and even rubber boots.
    Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 17 May 2026
  • For this reason, Carpenter recommends using bait stations that contain borax, rather than sprinkling borax directly into the garden.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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