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

Examples 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 One Shiite woman who fled the south and is now living in a rented home in the mountains confided her disappointment to me. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024 In the preceding months, the teenager had reportedly become emotionally attached to the chatbot, confiding his most private thoughts in it. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Over tea with Zoe, Cheryl confides that much of her life has been spent, well, in the dark. Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024 Thimig then confided to Lothar that the Alpine farmer was Reuss. Tomas Weber, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for confide 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • Last summer, at the time a photo of Lionel Messi blessing him at barely six months old resurfaced and went viral, Lamine won the Euros with La Roja in Germany ahead of being handed the Golden Boy gong by Tutto Sport and the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Her dad has a strong scene, handing his watch to Deputy Hank to pass along to Juliette before Dr. Pete completes his suicide mission and blows up the stairs.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But with 3½ days left in office, Biden renewed attention for a century-old fight that energized generations of women.
    Mike Allen, Axios, 18 Jan. 2025
  • However, when left upright, they can be worn under wider pants.
    Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As the organization travelled with the evidentiary trove of Caesar’s photographs, Mazen gave it a human face.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
  • After a miserable year for the run defense, Morgan is hoping to give the trenches a facelift in free agency and the draft.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In August that same year, her employer transferred her to the position of night guest laundry attendant at a wage of $16.50 an hour.
    Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But strikers Carlos Vinicius, Islam Slimani and, to an extent, Darwin Nunez have struggled to transfer their Primeira Liga form in Portugal to the Premier League.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The group warns prospective owners to expect their mini pig to become larger than estimated, and not to trust a breeder who promises their pig will remain tiny.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Embrace the serendipity of this transit — trust the timing of the universe.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Such a philosophy entrusts players with discretion.
    Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The game of pushing the boundaries was entrusted to headwear, from beanies to cowboy hats and sculptural pillboxes.
    Alex Badia, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Galinsky highlights how inspiring leaders delegate responsibility and celebrate others’ successes.
    Alain Hunkins, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • By his own admission, Johnson has needed time to improve his ability to delegate tasks and retain trust in the assistant coaches around him.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • McKinnon recommends waiting until kids are about 5 years old to take their first surf lesson.
    Anna Halkidis, Parents, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Costco and Apple were among the companies to recently recommend that shareholders reject anti-DEI proposals, making the case that diversity initiatives are good for business.
    Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near confide

Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confide

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