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

At the very least, that historic albeit disheartening move substantiated the power with which the McCaskey family has entrusted Warren and confirmed the authority the second-year president wields in overseeing football operations. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Nov. 2024

By entrusting team members with complex projects or leadership opportunities, leaders not only free themselves to focus on strategic priorities but also foster professional growth within the organization. —Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Smart design makes all the difference, and the client who lives in this small apartment in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district entrusted it to the interior design firm Mistovia. —Katharina Schwarze, Architectural Digest, 26 Nov. 2024

The act entrusts local governments to identify slum and blighted areas based on state definitions. —Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Nov. 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