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 her first two England camps in charge in September 2021, Wiegman — in the absence of former England captain Steph Houghton — handed Williamson the armband.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • Ramsey handed the check to 12-year-old Finn Cropp and shook hands and took photos with the kids afterward.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Only three of the top seven players in the world are left in the draw.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • Capital Gains: Stability Reigns Surprisingly, the legislation leaves capital gains rates untouched.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Alex has given everything to the game and to the Golden Knights and has played through significant challenges in the pursuit of trying to win another Stanley Cup in Vegas.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • Westerdam is comfortably sized, with 958 cabins, giving guests plenty to do without feeling overwhelmed.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Osorio-Piedra will now be held without bond in the Detention Center until he can be transferred to the state Department of Corrections.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
  • Doyle started his college career at Coastal Carolina before transferring to Mississippi for his sophomore year and then on to Tennessee.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • As someone who reviews a new laptop almost every week, trust me: Just buy it.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
  • While 14% of voters trust him a lot and another 28% trust him somewhat, 32% don’t trust him at all.
    Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Yes, the relievers lost five of the 21 leads with which they were entrusted during this stretch of 35 games in 37 days.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
  • These include service accounts, API keys, machine credentials and, increasingly, autonomous AI agents that are deeply integrated into core business systems, entrusted with accessing sensitive data and executing tasks without human oversight.
    Arun Shrestha, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Designers must create interaction models that allow people to delegate tasks, supervise actions or take over when needed.
    Antara Dave, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • When results and relationships had settled, Robson was able to delegate.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • These are Linear/HiFi switches and recommended for gamers.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Dharna recommends having regular family conversations about money and about your family’s finances.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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