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 The game warden who conducted my background check confided that the state is so hard up for hunte-ed instructors that hunting experience is no longer a requirement for teaching the class. The Editors, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025 The investigation began in July 2016, when a church member in whom Taylor confided reported the claims to officials at the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the lawsuit says. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 White once confided that just about everyone on the UFC roster wants to get the call for the event, and Buffer echoed those sentiments. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 This was caused by the participants feeling unheard and invalidated when confiding their concerns to people who engaged in toxic positivity. Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • Zoe was touched that Hannah entrusted her with such precious pieces—especially something as personal as her mom’s wedding dress.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Her status as a billionaire entrusted with spending down a billionaire’s fortune, and now a victorious Super Bowl winner eyeing a near-immediate exit from the field, makes her one of the most unusual figures in American sports.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In France, 60% of respondents said their government’s policies will leave future generations worse off, as did 53% in the United Kingdom and 51% in Germany.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Payne fled after the shooting, leaving his children behind.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Dad hands me the paper, the certificate of ownership from the National Archives.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • North Carolina regulators this week blocked Carolina Water Service from imposing a temporary rate increase, handing a short-term victory to thousands of homeowners already fighting a broader, long-term hike.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Ishii said the council is focused on filling the five Police Accountability Board vacancies and finding Aguilar’s replacement, finalizing the board’s regulations, giving both oversight entities the necessary tools to succeed and restoring belief in the oversight process.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • McVay said the team would give the players time to digest the season and decide what might be next.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Her mother had been transferred from the federal building in Minneapolis to a controversial Texas detention facility 1,400 miles away, according to John Hayden, an attorney who within days secured a federal court order demanding her return to Minnesota.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The previous month, Level Up transferred $150,000 to Illinois Future PAC, which is currently funding pro-Stratton TV ads.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Despite its name, wallpaper isn't actually limited to just belonging on the walls of your home—and trust us, wallpaper can find a place in every interior design style.
    Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Thousands of children are staying home, often for lack of door-to-door transportation — or simply trust.
    Bianca Vázquez Toness, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The macOS app acts as a command center where developers can delegate tasks to different agents, supervise progress across projects, and review code changes without losing context.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Paralympic medalist Isaac Jean-Paul reframes disability as an environmental design problem, while systems architect Ken Cardwell warns of the risks of delegating identity to artificial intelligence.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • What a dietitian really recommends When thinking about how to advise clients, Mokari is very aware that what works for someone’s health and lifestyle is going to be individual to them.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Monitoring and documentation requirements of releases are merely recommended, and avoidance and minimization of adverse impacts to animals, plants and the public are left up to the industry.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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