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 Aylesworth says her mother previously confided that Brian Hooker choked her. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • None of the rockets—Ariane 6, New Glenn, or Vulcan—to which Amazon originally entrusted the bulk of its missions had reached the launch pad when the company announced its massive launch order in 2022.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
  • At midnight toasts were made with Blanc de Blanc champagne, and then the evening continued with a DJ set entrusted to leading names on the international scene, including Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Peggy Gou, who alternated until late into the night.
    Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Several students testified that Anthony was repeatedly asked to leave the Memorial High School tent before the confrontation escalated.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
  • That would leave the US emergency oil reserve with the least amount of oil since the early 1980s, when the economy was smaller and consumed less energy.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 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
  • Whitney Plantation hosts two permanent exhibits, one of which gives an overview about the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and another that focuses on the history of slavery in Louisiana.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • On June 3, police went to serve the warrants but the suspect did not follow commands given by police and barricaded himself inside a residence located in the area of Alum Rock Avenue and Dale Drive, authorities said.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Other students will transfer to two additional schools.
    Da Lin, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • Everything learned can be transferred to ABB’s commercial charger installations.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Since the middle of 2025, the cost of insuring hyperscaler debt through credit default swaps has climbed, a sign that some investors are paying up for protection rather than trusting the ratings, Reuters reported.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
  • People also need time to trust a machine that works near them every day.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Two other amendments — one to increase individual campaign contribution limits to $500 and another to allow the City Council to delegate authority to boards and commissions — are also being considered.
    Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
  • Family court officials typically strive to keep children separate from the litigation, delegating to guardians ad litem the task of determining their best interests.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • For comparison, the two products recommended to me by Lancome were $155 and $175.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • There’s a simple, three-ingredient herbal tea recommended by experts that could help to improve digestion, gas, bloating, and your overall gut health.
    Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 6 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on confide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster