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 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 Over the years, actors have confided that preparing to play Hamlet is like training for the Olympics. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025 So his warm, garrulous letters to her must have been hugely flattering, as if a reporter today received a string of confiding e-mails from Bruce Springsteen. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confide
Verb
  • Around a year ago, Marc Bernal took advantage of an opportunity handed to him by then-new head coach Hansi Flick, which entailed him training with the first team in preseason.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • The Bad Boys star previously joked that Murphy handed the responsibility to him.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • The only two albums left in her catalog yet to be released as a re-recording are Reputation and her debut album.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
  • Place the basil leaves (and optional lemon zest) into a clean glass jar.
    Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • But there are few substitutes for availability, and no player has given more to Spurs this season than Porro.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The second half was much quieter and gave me space to seek out more personal, intimate stories.
    Emily Bogle, NPR, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump has proposed transferring the department's responsibilities to other agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • The provision outlines regulatory definitions and sets new rates related to making and transferring silencers.
    Morgan Kromer, The Washington Examiner, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Johnson even trusted receiver Jameson Williams to throw a pass in the playoffs, which backfired and ended up going for an interception.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • Surveys show that after mass layoffs, 64% of remaining workers no longer trust their employers, while 71% said their motivation to work declined.
    Nicole Tidei, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • While Social Security employees are entrusted with the records containing personal information, it was disputed whether the 11 DOGE team members could be trusted with same material.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Parking garage Washington Madison Wells garage, 172 W. Madison St., Chicago The Ferrari was entrusted to an attendant at a parking garage, which was owned by the Chicago Board of Education in the 1970s.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Be Proactive Employees at every level will need to get comfortable delegating routine tasks to AI—and some will be more receptive than others.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down Trump's tariffs ruling that his effort exceeds any tariff authority delegated to the president.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Deep dive Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed the COVID vaccine from the list of vaccines recommended for healthy pregnant women.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 June 2025
  • Kogan, 67, was not on the initial three-person shortlist for the role but was recommended by Nandy after more than two decades negotiating TV rights sales on behalf of the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Super League.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confide. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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