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 His son-in-law, Nick, in whom June had confided the plan earlier in the hour. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 29 Apr. 2025 The girl confided to her foster parent that she had been abused numerous times by Boyd — but investigators unearthed the full extent of her horrific treatment in a series of interviews over weeks, court documents said. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025 One morning, the two of them went for a run, during which Paul confided that she was professionally demoralized. Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 No bombs threats, no shooting and shouting, but a tender moment at Stabler's late wife's grave, in which the infamous tough guy tenderly confides his excitement that their son Eli (Nicky Torchia) will soon become a father. EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • After a sister who did not like football and a brother who took to Aston Villa and their Irish contingent, Lynch would be handed the Leeds fan baton.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The offensive backfield had its most fireworks, however, after Hubbard caught a pass in the flat, was run out of bounds, exchanged a few words with a Browns defender and handed a Browns cornerback the ball — only for the Browns cornerback to throw it back at Hubbard’s head.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Where are opportunities left untouched simply due to a lack of capacity?
    Scott Brighton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Enzo Maresca’s ominous words in his press conference at Cobham on Thursday left little room to avoid the conclusion that Colwill had suffered a significant injury.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Once done, the camera panned over to Kris, who gave a sassy smile before joining her girls.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The recall was given a Class II risk warning on August 1.12 NuNaturals Inc recalled 78 bottles of its Organic Pure Stevia and 78 bottles of its Pure Monk Fruit Sweetener.
    Amber Brenza, Health, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Washington’s deadlock has created a tectonic shift transferring power — and the locus for activity — back to the regions.
    Russell Hancock, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Ruth, who was being treated for an eating disorder, was transferred to the location in October 2021, per the BBC.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Bilge’s checklist for verifying the legitimacy of a text includes a few easy-to-follow tips: Don’t trust the name alone – Scammers can spoof sender names.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
  • He’s become an expensive long reliever, with the Mets unable to trust him in a starting role at the moment.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • With the Rams, the latter's bench boss entrusted him with more responsibilities as a point guard and a playmaker.
    Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Luckily, Japan has excellent next-day luggage delivery services, so pack an overnight carry-on and entrust oversized bags to the pros.
    Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • At Bournemouth, the club’s structure works in a particular way, where Iraola sees his role as coaching the team and preparing the players, but recruitment is delegated to Tiago Pinto, the club’s president of football operations, and technical director Simon Francis.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
  • This is the realm of managers and supervisors, not doing the work themselves, delegating, but with relatively short leashes to make sure people get done what they are asked to get done in the way they are asked to do them.
    George Bradt, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Note that deals may differ by restaurant and reservations are highly recommended, as these menu specials tend to attract a healthy mix of locals and visitors alike—the DMV is a major foodie destination, after all.
    Kaeli Conforti, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The Department of State Health recommends getting two doses of the MMR vaccine as the best protection against serious illness.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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