confide

verb

con·​fide kən-ˈfīd How to pronounce confide (audio)
confided; confiding
Synonyms of confidenext

intransitive verb

1
: to have confidence : trust
We cannot confide wholly in our own powers.
2
: to show confidence by imparting secrets
confide in a friend

transitive verb

1
: to tell confidentially
He dared not confide the secret to his family.
2
: to give to the care or protection of another : entrust
… do not confide your children to strangers.—Mavis Gallant
confider noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for confide

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 confide in a Sentence

He confided that he was very unhappy with his job. the local SPCA was looking for homes for a number of exotic animals confided to its care
Recent Examples on the Web One tester confided that the handlebar was too wiggly, while another felt the seatbelt straps could have been stronger and more durable. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 9 May 2024 In person, Galitzine is sweet, self-effacing, reasonably confiding. —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for confide 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

early Scots, borrowed from Latin confīdere "to put trust in, have confidence in," from con- con- + fīdere "to trust (in), rely (on)" going back to Indo-European *bhei̯dh- "trust, entrust" — more at faith entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confide was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing confide

Dictionary Entries Near confide

confidante

confide

confide in

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Confide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confide. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

confide

verb
con·​fide kən-ˈfīd How to pronounce confide (audio)
confided; confiding
1
: to have confidence : trust
confide in a doctor's skill
2
: to show confidence by telling secrets
confided in her mother
3
: to tell in confidence
confide a secret to a friend
4
: entrust sense 1
confide one's safety to the police
confider noun
Etymology

Middle English confiden "to confide, trust," from early French confider or Latin confidere (both, same meaning), from Latin con-, com- "with, together" and fidere "to trust" — related to faith

More from Merriam-Webster on confide

Nglish: Translation of confide for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of confide for Arabic Speakers

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