entrust

verb

en·​trust in-ˈtrəst 

en-

variants or less commonly intrust

in-ˈtrəst 

entrusted also intrusted; entrusting also intrusting; entrusts also intrusts

transitive verb

1

: to confer a trust on

especially : to deliver something in trust to

2

: to commit to another with confidence

entrustment

in-ˈtrəs(t)-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms

• assign
• charge
• commission
• task
• trust

Choose the Right Synonym for entrust

commit, entrust, confide, consign, relegate mean to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose.

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

entrust implies committing with trust and confidence.

the president is entrusted with broad powers

confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance.

confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney

consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality.

consigned the damaging notes to the fire

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

Examples of entrust in a Sentence

She was entrusted with the job of organizing the reception.

we entrusted our financial adviser with the investment of all of our savings

Recent Examples on the Web

These individuals touched the lives of thousands of people in the extended community, and have entrusted the Heartwood School with the continuation of their life's work and legacy. —Deb Harvell, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 2024

Taxpayers entrust this obscure unit of government with a budget of about $1.4 billion each year to cover these services. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2024

In our roles, we're entrusted not just with managing the inflows and outflows of capital but with ensuring that each rupee, dollar or euro invested generates a return commensurate with its cost. —Pankaj Vasani, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Miriam is entrusted with the tarsier Fitzgeraldo, while Max, deeply in love, is given the owl Muriel. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

entrust

verb

en·​trust in-ˈtrəst 

1

: to give into the care of another

entrust your savings to a bank

2

: to give custody, care, or charge of something to

entrust a bank with your savings

entrustment

-ˈtrəs(t)-mənt 

noun

Legal Definition

entrust

transitive verb

en·​trust

variants also intrust

1

: to deliver something to (a person) under a charge or duty

2

: to give (something) over to the care of another

specifically : to deliver to a merchant who may transfer ownership to a buyer in the ordinary course of business

—used especially in the Uniform Commercial Code see also negligent entrustment compare bail, consign

entrustment noun