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 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 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
  • Once dark and divided into too many small spaces, this Victorian house has benefited from a careful redesign entrusted to the duo at Penrose Tilbury.
    Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 17 Feb. 2026
  • As Edison’s football coach, he was entrusted to guide young athletes whose parents bought banned 2 Live Crew records and tapes as teens.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The newest Chinese subs are not believed to be as quiet as US ones, leaving the stealth advantage to the US Navy.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Homan said that immigration operations will continue even as additional agents leave the state.
    Conor Wight, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • No charges were filed against Ramos-Caballero and he was never arrested by the Boise Police Department, who handed him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents the day of the incident.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The City Council has not voted on the project since handing it off in October 2024 and did not weigh in on the plans before their release.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The 31-year-old right-hander is being given an opportunity to make the starting rotation, one of a group of what is likely five pitchers vying for what is almost certainly one available spot at the start of the season.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • And there are likely more revelations and resignations to come, given the millions of documents spanning many years in the files released.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Receiver Mylan Graham transferred from Ohio State to Notre Dame.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
  • If not for Rice setting the foundation, the 6-foot-7 Betts wouldn’t have transferred from Stanford to become an All-American and raise the ceiling.
    Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Some Democratic candidates resisted calls to exit the race, arguing the field remains wide open and the party should trust voters to decide.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
  • But my mom isn’t the only nurse who trusts the Hoka Solimar for hours-long shifts.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But Congress has delegated the president the power to impose tariffs in other ways.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
  • So what tasks typically performed by doctors might be delegated to AI?
    Alex Hogan, STAT, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The company recommends a table surface size of about 48 x 30 inches so Issac 0 can work comfortably.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The researchers recommended that the EU pass legislation proposed by the European Commission to ban Hungary and Slovakia’s imports of Russian crude oil as soon as possible.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on confide

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