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
  • McConnell gets solid performances from his actors, none more so than Yurich, who obviously took a leap by entrusting his story to someone else but pours himself into the role to a degree that suggests complete trust.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • You are not simply assigned a room, you are temporarily entrusted with the care of an extraordinary beachfront home.
    Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • But even with a magnificent performance from an inspired goalkeeper, there’s no way that this result should have happened, even with Luis de la Fuente’s decision to leave Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the bench.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • By leaving the floor immediately, Wembanyama gave critics an easy target and allowed the story to become about his temperament rather than the Knicks' championship celebration.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The Philadelphia Board of Education will vote on a resolution that would give the district the green light to hand the properties over to the city for plans to potentially turn them into affordable housing units.
    Raymond Strickland, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
  • If a case involves a state crime, agents must hand the person over to local or state police.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Seven years later, the FDA has given Colorado the go-ahead, but there's still a lot to be done.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 17 June 2026
  • Kyle giving Lindsay a piggyback while also trying to take a sip of Loverboy is why these two will always be famous.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • This comes amid rumors that the signal-caller could transfer this offseason in hopes of upping his draft stock in 2027.
    Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
  • The administration sent a letter to the Colorado prison system in mid-November asking that Peters be transferred to federal custody.
    Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Engagement scores rise, quit rates fall, and productivity climbs because people finally feel respected, trusted, and included.
    Pete Stavros, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
  • Wayne has spent decades taking accountability for his actions, working to transform his life, and being an extraordinary person who is loved and trusted by correctional officers, faith leaders, and many in his community.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • DeMarco came to Park Forest in 1971, hired as the assistant to Village Manager Bob Pierce and specifically delegated to deal with racial matters in the community.
    Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The responsibility of drafting specific regulations and implementing the reporting standards was delegated to the California Air Resources Board.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of committing to red paint or cabinetry, Trop recommends smaller pops of red in the kitchen, like with picture frames, chairs, or decor.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 14 June 2026
  • The doctor was optimistic that Caldwell’s recent discomfort came from tight muscles, rather than nerve damage, and recommended a stretching and strengthening regimen.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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