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 Then Rocha saw him a year later, and the student confided that college just wasn’t for him. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026 The problem with Dolan, this person confided, was that the owner fancied himself knowledgeable about basketball. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 But during the March video conference, Colorado regulators confided to industry lobbyists that the tool for rooting out fraud isn’t working. — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 15 May 2026 In video testimony last week, Toner said a starting point for the decision to oust Altman was when OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, a respected AI scientist, reached out to confide some of his own concerns. — ABC News, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • The second challenge is pursuing smart development while protecting the natural and community character entrusted to us.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • It was later entrusted to Bulgari, where it was subsequently transformed into a diamond ring.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Composer Ghulam Mohammed died in 1968 after writing the songs, leaving Naushad to complete the background score.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The collection launches with Seeded Natural, an unbleached, undyed fabric that leaves the cotton’s own seeds visible in the weave.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • When asked, Beckham handed the bottles to Pierce, who noted three different types of pills in the bottle.
    — Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Reputational risks Trump’s regulators are handing ⁠Wall Street banks major capital relief and have already clashed with Democrats when defending their policies during congressional hearings.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Most questions were friendly and business-centric, but Marshall also gave his opinion on several polarizing issues, including federal immigration enforcement, tariffs and the war in Iran.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Four turboprop engines power the aircraft, giving it the performance needed for demanding military transport operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The 56-year-old was transferred on Friday from FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey to FCI Allenwood, a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed with The Times.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Through its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) programme, the service aims to develop modular systems that can be transferred between different military vehicles to expand air defense capabilities beyond specialized units.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Some allegedly trusted him with significant amounts of money.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The scoring potential in this game may be tempting, but Loveland is difficult to trust until his role becomes more consistent.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Mechanisms for delegating decision-making will be even more essential than in the past, as the danger of disconnection increases.
    — Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement As for now, the Vatican has not indicated that Leo is in any way incapable of performing or delegating his duties.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The committee of inquiry will ultimately recommend whether there is cause to fire Cook, a White House memo last week said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • However, Mokari does recommend making some additions for a more balanced diet.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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