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 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 Patriarch George confides to his descendants in a personal realization about his lengthy time on Fremont Ave. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 May 2026 Aylesworth says her mother previously confided that Brian Hooker choked her. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • The focus is widening to include the financial stewardship of the organizations receiving those dollars, and whether nonprofit boards are exercising sufficient oversight over the executives entrusted to spend them.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As congestion grows, so has the challenge – entrusted to Space Force Guardians – of identifying and tracking any object larger than a basketball.
    Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The group of females – Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva and Calypso – was the second to leave Marineland, and marked the largest beluga transfer ever completed in the United States.
    Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike the Tribune, none of the outlets Welch spoke with had interviewed the harassment victims, leaving Welch to present a largely one-sided account.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly and Kevin Alcántara each hit two-run home runs, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Los Angeles Dodgers their fourth consecutive loss with a 10-5 victory Monday night at Wrigley Field.
    Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • From being handed important communication roles on defense to being moved around as a chess piece in multiple defensive spots, Downs has answered each challenge the coaching staff has handed him.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The pact gives Saudi Arabia a powerful new layer of protection beyond its longstanding security partnership with the United States amid growing regional doubts over whether Washington can still be relied upon to protect its oil-rich Gulf allies.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • McIntosh’s Bryan Boone, the county’s building and zoning administrator, said just shy of 30 feet was the minimum given the flood risk.
    Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • If this happens, the demand in launch capacity transferring from SpaceX might lead to more opportunities for companies such as Rocket Lab and RFA One, assuming more rockets are ready in time.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Williams, a senior, was an all-conference point guard for Arizona and Iowa State before transferring to LSU this spring.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • A little focus will make your natural sparkle much easier to trust.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Novo's site says it is trusted by more than 250,000 independent businesses.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Empowering the next level of leaders—or delegating decisions downward—sounds beneficial for everyone.
    Julie Williamson, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Instead, Captain Pike delegates the investigation to Division 12, a mysterious branch of Starfleet that specializes in unexplained phenomena.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Conti recommends setting up a simple observation board made from cardboard and covering it with a white sheet.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, there’s a range of percentages—called the acceptable macronutrient distribution range—recommended for each individual macronutrient.
    Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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